Hillside Baptist Church - 2025 Sermon Podcasts

Sermon Podcasts for 2025

Sermons That Make the Scriptures Glow

Pastor Alex delivering a sermon - photo TBD

The following sermon podcasts were recorded at Hillside Baptist Church during the Year of Our Lord, 2025. They are presented here for anyone who may have missed a Worship Service and for anyone seeking to better understand God's Word on a specific topic.
All sermon podcasts are presented in MP3 format and will play in any browser.

To find sermons from any particular year, jump to the Sermon Podcasts page and then click on a year.

In April, Dr. Jim Robertson and family moved to their new abode in Bennington, Vt. Also that month, the congregation met with and voted to hire Alex Musard as the new pastor. His first pastoral sermon was delivered on June 8, 2025.

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After you have listened to one or more sermon podcasts, please send us some feedback or constructive comments. We would like to hear from you.

Date

Description

Podcast

Dec. 28, 2025

"Live Free or Die" – Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Patrick Seamars opened with General John Stark's famous 1809 quote that became New Hampshire's motto, "Live free or die. Death is not the greatest of evils." It was written to a reunion of soldiers from the 1777 Battle of Bennington. In today's passage, Moses urged the Israelites to decide between "life and death, the blessing and the curse." There is no middle ground with God. We today must respond to God's call for a life of obedience to Him above all else.
Sermon by Patrick Seamars, Elder, Fellowship Church, Hooksett

Dec. 21, 2025

"The Promise Arrived in Swaddling Cloths" – Luke 2:8-14
God announced the greatest news the world has ever known to lowly shepherds. They were told of a newborn baby who was the Messiah. From the manger to the cross, Jesus entered our world to save souls and to die for our sins. Are you seeking more peace, seeking more joy, seeking more love in your life? Seek Christ. His love is always available.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Dec. 14, 2025

"The Promise Fulfilled: Surprised by Joy" – Luke 1:26-38
After becoming a Christian, C.S. Lewis discovered the joy he had been longing for. Century after century, God's people have sought the hope of eternal joy. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of every longing. Luke records the joyful angelic foretelling of Jesus' birth to the humble Mary.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Dec. 7, 2025

"The Promise Preserved" – Gen. 12:1-3; 2 Sam. 7:12-16; Isaiah 9:2-7
Over the ages, God's people have held onto promises they could not see. Advent reminds us that God has always been faithful to preserve His promises. He brought us a Savior. Isaiah 9:6-7 prophesied the Savior's birth. With Jesus, our faith is anchored in God's preserved promises.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Nov. 30, 2025

"The Promise in the Garden: Hope from the Beginning" – Genesis 3:1-15
Christmas can shine a light on both our joys and our sorrows. Advent tells us that Jesus is the Promised One. As in the beginning of Genesis, God had a plan to do what Adam failed to do. Jesus came to undo the works of the devil and to be "the Light of the World." He came to atone for our sins and reconcile us with God. We can be confident standing in the light of a victorious Lord.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Nov. 23, 2025

"Extravagant Worship and Petty Betrayal" – Mark 14:1-11
Being frugal is the opposite of what the Bible calls us to do. Mark gives us another inner and outer story format. The outer story concerns the plot between the chief priests and Judas to kill Jesus. The inner story shows a woman's extravagant devotion by anointing Jesus with a precious oil. Christ's sacrifice for our sins demands our response to give our all for Him.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Nov. 16, 2025

"Not One Stone Upon Another—the End of An Era" – Mark 13:1-37
No one starts an institution dreaming of the day when it will close. But Jesus astonished the disciples by predicting the destruction of the temple (in 70 A.D.). He used prophetic imagery to describe the fall of rulers and nations. The persecutions He predicted also happened in Jerusalem and the Roman world. Jesus spoke these things to assure us of the reliability of His Word. Believe and trust in Him.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Nov. 9, 2025

"Giver Back to God What Is God's" – Mark 12:13-40
This passage calls us to see God's ownership of us and all we possess. The Pharisees first praised Jesus but then asked a deceptive question. (v13-17) The Sadducees asked a deceptive question ignoring that even life belongs to God. (v18-27) A Scribe wisely acknowledged Jesus' answer about the formost commandment. (v28-34) Finally Jesus condemned the Scribes' use of their positions for personal gain. (V38-40) Remember that today, when we give, we return the gift to its rightful owner, God.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Nov. 2, 2025

"Jesus: the Cornerstone of a New Temple" – Mark 11:27-12:12
Jesus confronted the Jewish leaders who rejected His authority. He countered their question by asking about John the Baptist's authority. When they would not answer, neither would He. Jesus then told a parable about evil vinegrowers who killed the vineowner's son, here symbolizing Jesus and the opposing Jewish leaders. The parable pointed to Jesus as the cornerstone of a new temple of believers.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Oct. 26, 2025

"Make the Church a House of Prayer Again" – Mark 11:1-26
Everything in God's creation has a design and a purpose. This passage starts with Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem riding a young donkey. The Hosanna passage harkens to Psalm 118. The next day, Mark sandwiches Jesus driving the merchants from the temple inside the cursing of the fig tree, symbolic of the judgment of Israel. Jesus ends by telling the disciples to have faith in God, pray, and forgive others – good advice for us today.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard (recording forthcoming)

Oct. 19, 2025

"Living in a Broken World" – Luke 13:1-9
Why did God let this happen? This question has been asked for thousands of years. Not all suffering is due to God punishing us. In this passage, Jesus mentioned two events where innocent people died. He told those present to repent unless they too perish. Pastor Tom said most suffering is caused by sinners or by natural processes like floods. In the parable of the fig tree, Jesus was warning us to repent and be spiritually fruitful or face judgment.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

Oct. 12, 2025

"On the Way to Glory" – Mark 10:32-52
Do we know what it means to be on the path to discipleship? Jesus told His disciples that He would be condemned to death and rise again ioin three days. This was foretold in Isaiah 53 about the "man of sorrows." Not grasping this, James and John foolishly asked to join Jesus in His glory. Jesus explained that He came to "give His life a ransom for many." Mark recorded a final miracle when Jesus healed Bartimaeus, a blind beggar in Jericho. True disciples must emulate Jesus and humbly serve others.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Oct. 5, 2025

"The Church's Original Template" – Matthew 16:13-18
God called Rev. Taylor back to NH because it is almost the least religious state in the US. In the New Testament, "church" is mentioned 111 times but over the centuries many changes crept in, changing Christ's original template. In Matthew 16, Jesus told Peter that He would build the church on a strong foundation.
As an example of how God works, a few Iranian Muslims, wanting to learn about Christianity, began attending his home Bible Study in Kiev, Ukraine. More came and, to his surprise, two of them accepted Jesus as Lord. Later they asked for help to start a church for Iranian Muslims! He closed by encouraging us to support our new pastor and help build a healthy church that reaches the lost for Christ.
Sermon by Rev. Sam Taylor, Missionary

Sept. 28, 2025

"Mark 10:13-31" – Radical Dependence: The Cost of Discipleship
Like the game of Monopoly, we devote time and energy to accumulate possessions. At "the end of the game," all our possessions "go back in the box." Jesus taught that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like a child. In contrast, Jesus told a rich young ruler to give up his wealth and follow Him. The Law was not enough. The way to heaven is not by achievement but by full surrender to the will of God which offers treasure that lasts.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Sept. 21, 2025

"What God Has Joined Together, Let No Man Separate" –
Contrary to questionable statistics, divorce is still a cultural problem. Jesus refuted the Jewish teaching of the Pharisees when he said, "What God has joined together, let no man separate." (v10:9) In today's culture, many people have a low opinion of marriage. Pastor Alex referred to a position paper by Pastor John Piper that discusses marriage and divorce in depth. Today's passage is a call to cling to God during marital difficulties.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Sept. 14, 2025

"The Humble Disciple: Trusting, Serving, & Persevering by Grace" –
Faith is required for God to be effective in our lives. Here the disciples' faith was not strong enough so Jesus had to pray to drive out a demon. (v14-29) "All things are possible to him who believes." (v23) Later He fortold His death and resurrection. He also ended an argument by stating the first shall be last. He then gave the disciples a series of stark admonistions. Jesus was telling us to be serious about purity from sin. (v39-50)
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Sept. 7, 2025

"The Suffering King: Embracing the Path of the Messiah" – Mark 8:27-9:13
Mark's focus shifts from Jesus' identity to Jesus' mission. Peter marked this by admitting "You are the Christ" (v8:29). Jesus then talked of about suffering, dying, and rising again but the disciples did not understand. He further spoke about pleasing God more than pleasing men. Later on a mountain top, He was brilliantly transfigured before three of them. Today we must stand for Biblical truths and follow Jesus with boldness and faithfulness despite any suffering.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Aug. 31, 2025

"Nature Abhors a Vacuum" – Matthew 12:43-45
The sermon opened with several anecdotes about Artificial Intelligence (AI) that exemplified people using AI, sometimes tragically, to fill their emptiness. These verses of Matthew's show that even nature abhors a vacuum. Jesus knew that people like the Pharisees were externally "good" but spiritually empty.
Our job is to reach the people who are lost and empty. They need Jesus to come and drive out evil and let Him fill their lives with purpose.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

Aug. 24, 2025

"Deaf, Dumb, Blind, and Hungry" – Mark 7:31-37, 8:1-27
Jesus was on the move. He healed a deaf and dumb man, and elsewhere a blind man. Mark sadwiched another story in between these: a second miraculous feeding of 4,000. The disciples still displayed spiritual dullness over the "bread" miracles.
Our mission is to offer the gospel truth to all the non-believers we meet. We need to pray that Jesus gives us ears, to hear, eyes to see, and voices to speak about the Lord who provides our every need.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Aug. 17, 2025

"True Purity: Inside Out" – Mark 7:1-30
This passage says a lot about cleanliness and Godliness. Jewish tradition had elevated ceremonial cleaning above God's commandments. Jesus condemned the empty rituals that did not bring one closer to God. He then taught that what comes out of the heart (sinfulness) is what defiles us, not what goes into us.
In the coastal city of Tyre, Jesus answered a Gentile woman who begged Him to remove a demon from her daughter.
Today we must be on guard against encroaching legalism and adhere to what the Scriptures teach us. True purity is a matter of the heart.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

Aug. 10, 2025

"One God, Three Persons" – Mark 5:33-56
How we answer this question, "Who is this man, Jesus?" determines how we will spend eternity.
When large crowds came from nearby towns, Jesus miraculously fed five thousand with only five loaves and two fish. What the disciples lacked, Jesus multiplied. Later when the disciples were in the boat crossing the sea, they were frightened when Jesus came walking across the water.
Today Jesus is still the Great I Am who is willing to sustain us through our daily struggles.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

August 3, 2025

"A Dangerous Commission" – Mark 6:7-32
Imagine being one of the disciples whom Jesus instructed to spread the gospel of repentance and belief in God. They went willingly. But what if we had to face suffering, hostility, or even death? As a story within a story, Mark inserted the details of Herod's cruel execution of John the Baptist.
This passage ended with Jesus and the disciples seeking seclusion and rest from the endless crowds. As we work to spread the good news about Jesus, we too need times of rest and refreshing.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

July 27, 2025

"Do Not Be Afraid, Only Believe" – Mark 5:21:6:6
Have you ever been gripped by fear and cried out for help? After Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee, two people begged him for help: a synagogue official whose daughter was dying, and a lonely woman with a chronic bleeding problem. Both were healed with a touch from Jesus who commended them for their faith.
Be assured that no trials in our lives can overcome the power of Jesus, who said "Do no be afraid any longer, only believe." (v5:36)
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

July 20, 2025

"Hope Is a Fighter" – Psalm 71
After recounting the tale of down and out Joey Coyle of Philadelphian whose misguided hopes in 1981 led to prison, Pastor Tom contrasted a wish for something, a hope that something good happens, and a hope based on faith in God.
The psalmist praised God for blessings in his youth and then prayed for God's help in his old age. God never promised freedom from life's troubles, but promised that His power would bring us through those situations. He then played a recording of "Hope's Got a Shiner" to emphasize that hope in God is a fighter.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

July 13, 2025

"Confessions of a Former Demoniac" – Mark 4:35-5:20
Pastor Alex commented on a prayerful message from Gracie Hunt, daughter of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt who lost a young cousin in the Texas floods. She wrote that "following Jesus, we never face pain alone."
While Jesus and His disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee, a fierce gale frightened the disciples until Jesus calmed the storm and frightened them again. Contrast that with the scene on shore in the Gerasenes when a demon possessed man said Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus drove the demons into a large herd of pigs and the recovered man then wanted to go with Jesus.
Which type of person are you? Fearful like the disciples or willing to follow Jesus?
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

July 6, 2025

"To You Has Been Given the Mystery" – Mark 4:1-34
Jesus spoke in parables to reveal the Kingdom of God to those who were receptive. Here He told the crowd the parable of the sower and the four soils, but later had to explain it to the disciples. Their task was to sow the seed (the gospel) but God would reap the harvest (of believers). Today, Jesus is asking: are you willing to listen, receive, and obey the Word of God?
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

June 29, 2025

"Who Belongs to the Kingdom?" – Mark 3:7-35
Just like the coin sorting machine at the bank identifies acceptable coins, the kingdom of God has its own sorting system. Only those who are saved by authentic faith in Jesus are accepted as authentic disciples. Today's passage includes the outsiders (v. 20-32), the insiders (v. 13-19, the 12 apostles, and 33-35, His family), and then the "mixed bag" (v. 7-12). Jesus explained who belonged to His family of believers. Let us choose to be part of that family of God.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

June 22, 2025

"New Wine, New Way: the Disruptive Way of God" –
Mark 2:1-3:6
Jesus disrupted the theology of the day by physically and spiritually healing the needy. He emphasized that "I did not come the call the righteous, but sinners." He also rejected the man made Jewish traditions that were so burdensome. The healings remind us that we "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" and need His forgiveness. Let us reach out to those around us with the gospel.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

June 15, 2025

"The Way of the Master: Lesson 1" – Mark 1:21-45
Jesus went to Capernaum and elsewhere in Galilee healing the sick and casting out evil spirits (who admitted His divinity). But the crowds flocked to Jesus for the wrong reasons. He moved with urgency and purpose to preach a gospel of repentance and salvation. Mark used the word "immediately" frequently. We should learn from this to not base our faith on feelings, emotions, or an experience. We should follow Jesus by faithfully trusting in His Word.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

June 8, 2025

"The Call to a New Life" – Mark 1:1-20
This began a new series on Mark's fast paced gospel, written to demonstrate the humanity of Jesus. John Mark, a disciple of Peter, showed Jesus as the suffering servant but also the Son of God. Mark wrote to a non-Jewish audience explaining many Jewish customs. Just as the original apostles answered the call to follow Him, we today must answer the call to spread the gospel.
Sermon by Pastor Alex Musard

June 1, 2025

"Have Faith in God" – Mark 11:1-26
The day after Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, He overturned the merchants' tables in the Temple. Later, Jesus told the disciples about the need for prayer and forgiveness. Pastor Al recounted his anxiety during his first wife's heart surgery. He was driven to his knees asking God to save her, which prayers were answered. We too need to have faith in God to carry us through our trials.
Sermon by Pastor Al Page

May 25, 2025

"Pride Month" – 1 Cor. 5:1-13, 2 Cor. 2:5-11
Paul condemned Corinthian believers who engaged in immorality, especially incest. He advised them to shun the immoral people, hoping that they would repent. In his second letter, Paul urged them to forgive and comfort the repentant believers. Today we must shun immorality such as is condoned by what is called Pride Month.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

May 18, 2025

"Grace Greater Than our In" – John 7:53-8:11
Jesus' showed radical love and forgiveness for the worst sinners --in this case an adulteress. The religious leaders conveniently ignored the man involved as well as the Law. Jesus spoke once and then used silence to advantage until all accusers had left. Today we need to confess our sins and accept God's great grace.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

May 11, 2025

"The Best Mother" – Matthew 23:37-39
In this passage of "woes" Jesus ends with the sadness of a hen whose chicks refused to shelter under her wings. His judgement was that God would abandon Jerusalem and its temple. But God is the perfect blend of the best traits of mothers and fathers. We need to stay in the center of God's protection and accept His salvation because Judgment Day is coming.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

May 4, 2025

"Trust in the Lord" – Proverbs 3:5-12
Sin is selfishness because you want to take care of #1 only. At some point you need to confess that you are a sinner and ask God for forgiveness. Pastor Al recounted several events in his life in the Navy and afterward that caused him to "trust in the Lord with all your heart." This included a calling to be a pastor, eventually leading him to New Hampshire.
What has God called you to do?
Sermon by Pastor Al Page

Apr. 27, 2025

"Survivor" – Ephesians 4:1-16
Unlike the TV show where people get "voted off the island" until there is one winner, Paul in Ephesians tells us how we should act. A poem about "Painting the Church" illustrated how not to behave. We are to be "worthy of our calling." Our goal is to live in unity and peace, avoid deceitful schemers, and use our spiritual gifts to build up the church of Christ.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

Apr. 20, 2025

"Profoundly Empty" – Luke 24:1-12
If you have a really good product or service, you don't need to advertise it. The tomb that was empty after Jesus rose from the dead was the Good News that spread around the world. His initially ferarful followers became enthusiastic evangelists and disciples.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

Apr. 13, 2025

"The Shaking" – Haggai 2:6-9
Through the prophet Haggai, God told the Jews who were released from captivity in 536 B.C. by King Darius of Persia to finish rebuilding the Temple. He told the struggling Jews to lift up their eyes from their daily struggles to share God's perspective of history and eternity. He promised them that the Temple they were rebuilding would one day be the place where God's Messiah would be revealed, bringing God's glory and peace. This was fulfilled when Jesus came into Jerusalem on what we now call "Palm Sunday."
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

Apr. 6, 2025

"The First Disobedience" – Genesis 3:14-15
God gave the first man and woman everything they neeeded but they let a serpent (Satan) convince them to disobey God which brought sin into the world. Although we now struggle against evil, God eventually promised victory over Satan through Christ who offers life to all who believe in Him. The struggle has been between Satan's "seed" and the woman's "seed" (Christ). We must now be Christ's ambassadors to our community and world.
Sermon by Alex Musard, Pastoral Candidate

Mar. 30, 2025

"The Laughter of God" – Psalm 2
There is humor in the Bible. But it seems that every religion has people who are sternly against joy or laughter. These might be called the fundamentalists. It is known that there are health benefits from laughter. In Proverbs 31, the "excellent wife" "smiles at the future." Furthermore, we can laugh at death because we know there is an eternal reward awaiting believers.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

Mar. 23, 2025

"How to Treat Your Pastor" – 1 Cor. 9; 1 Tim. 4&5
In what was his farewell sermon at Hillside, Dr. Robertson praised Hillsiders for blessing him and his family and helping him to grow in his ministry over the past 20 years. He advised us to give the new pastor the financial support he will need to grow spiritually in prayer and ministry and thus help the church grow. As Paul advised Timothy, we should not look down on a youthful pastor but honor his calling. We should also let the pastor be worthy of our respect.
Sermon by Dr. Jim Robertson

Mar. 16, 2025

"Fulfilling the Great Commission" – Hebrews 11 & 12
Reverend Sam Taylor is a Global Missions Mobilizer. Over the years, he has served as a youth pastor, adult pastor, and missionary. He also pastored at Nashua Baptist Church for eight years. He stressed that, when we obey "The Great Commission," the church grows. Currently he travels to churches in New England to promote the endurance needed to bring the Good News to all people.
Sermon by Rev. Sam Taylor

Mar. 9, 2025

"Ugly Honesty" – Psalm 137
Not everything in the Bible is a good example to follow, like David's lust for Bathsheba. Some bad examples in the Bible were not readily corrected, like Gideon testing God. This psalm is a bitter song of those who returned from captivity in Babylon to Jerusalem. God can heal such ugliness in us only if we honestly confess such feelings to Him.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

Mar. 2, 2025

"Humility and Pride" – Luke 18:9-14
In this parable, Jesus contrasted a proud Pharisee with a humble tax collector. Jesus criticized the Pharisee for bragging about his good works. Jesus commended the tax collector for begging forgiveneess for his sins. Which one will you emulate today?
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

Feb. 23, 2025

"The Highest Standards" – 1 Timothy 3:1-7
The apostle Paul saw great potential in his protege Timothy who was overseeing the church in Ephesus. In these verses, Paul stipulated several spiritual qualifications for an effective pastor (overseer). Pastor Tom contrasts that with a humorous list of qualifications from the web.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

Feb.16, 2025

Services canceled due to a second snow storm.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns postponed.

Feb.9, 2025

Services canceled due to snow storm.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns postponed.

Feb. 2, 2025

"Focus, Focus, Focus" – Luke 18:1-8
We are constantly distracted with endless information every day. In this passage, Jesus spoke of a widow who kept pleading for justice until the indifferent judge ruled in her favor. In contrast God will not delay responding to believers who persist in crying out to Him for justice. We would do well to avoid today's constant distractions and focus on Jesus.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

Jan. 26, 2025

"On Mission for Christ" – Matthew 28:16-20
Jesus is our authority who can tell us what we need to do. We know this because He came to Earth with wisdom and glory as the Son of God. We have a living God who is victorious over every opposition. We need to obey His command to "Go and make disciples of all the nations."
Sermon by Dr. Jim Robertson

Jan. 19, 2025

"Two Lost Sons, Part 3" – Luke 15: 1-2 & 11-32
The older brother was lost too. He was physically present but spiritually distant. This son emphasized all his hard work and self-righteousness. Instead of being joyful at his brother's return, he was angry at his father's mercy. We must stop trying to be good enough to earn God's love. Accept Jesus as Lord and ask for His forgiveness and mercy.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

Jan. 12, 2025

"Two Lost Sons, Part 2" – Luke 15: 1-2 &11-32
Part 2 focused on the father in the parable. This father showed love and compassion for the lost son who returned and begged forgiveness for his foolishness. We can assume that the father was constantly praying that this son would not be lost forever but be restored to him. Today our heavenly Father will rejoice when any of us repents and asks forgiveness for our sinful behavior.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

Jan. 5, 2025

"Two Lost Sons, Part 1" – Luke 15:1-2 &11-32
Jesus attracted sinners because He cared for them. His third parable here was about the younger son who demanded his share of his inheritance, went away, and squandered it. In desperation, he returned home to beg forgiveness. His father met him with love, compassion, and forgiveness. Our lives may be better or worse, but we must be honest about our situation and ask Jesus to forgive us and give us a new life.
Sermon by Pastor Tom Cairns

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