Assurance on SermonAudio

1. The church grows amid the outworking of God's providence. 2. The church grows through the proclamation of God's Christ. 3. The church grows despite the opposition of God's enemies. 4. The church grows with the assurance of God's word.

Sermon by Rev. Andrew Bonar

Sermon By Michael Duncan

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. (John 16:22) *1/ Godly sorrow. 2/ A visit from the Lord again. 3/ The effect that man cannot take away.* **Sermon Summary:** This sermon explores the transition from godly sorrow to unshakeable joy as described in John 16:22, emphasizing that true spiritual sorrow is directed toward God and arises from a conviction of sin. The preacher distinguishes this from natural grief by illustrating biblical examples of both, highlighting that godly sorrow leads to repentance and a deeper awareness of Christ's substitutionary sacrifice. Central to the message is the promise that the Lord will 'see' His people again, signifying His active intervention to remove sin and restore fellowship, much like the joy following childbirth. The discourse concludes by affirming that the joy resulting from this divine visit is secure and cannot be taken away, offering assurance to believers that their salvation is grounded in the eternal covenant and the finished work of Christ.

The crowd crossed the sea to find Jesus, but they came for another free meal, and he called them to labor for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man gives. When they asked what works they must do, Jesus answered that the work of God is to believe in him whom he has sent; the Father gave the manna, and he now gives the true bread from heaven. Jesus is the bread of life, and whoever comes to him hungry will never hunger. All that the Father gives him will come to him, he will never cast out anyone who comes, and he will lose none of them but raise them up on the last day.

The sermon explores the assurance of God's presence and provision for His people, drawing primarily from Psalm 46. It contrasts the turmoil of the world with the peace found in the 'city of God,' identifying believers as citizens of heaven who are sustained by the spiritual streams of God's grace. The message emphasizes that true gladness arises not from circumstances but from a deep reliance on Christ, the dwelling of the Holy Spirit within the believer, and the unshakeable security of the church. In the face of societal opposition and personal trials, the preacher encourages believers to walk in courage and to engage in evangelism, trusting that the Lord of Hosts is with them and will ultimately silence the raging of the wicked.

This sermon examines the theological significance of Jesus' cry of dereliction on the cross, asserting that He was truly forsaken by the Father rather than merely quoting Psalm 22. The preacher explains that this abandonment was necessary because Jesus acted as the substitute for sinners, bearing the divine judgment that humanity deserved for forsaking God. By identifying fully with human weakness and anguish, Christ demonstrates that He sympathizes with believers in their darkest moments. The message concludes with the assurance that because Jesus was temporarily abandoned, believers can confidently claim the promise that God will never leave them nor forsake them.

This sermon meditates on the theological significance of Jesus' cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" as recorded in Matthew 27:46. It explores the historical context of the ninth hour and the Aramaic language used, connecting the event to the prophecy of Psalm 22. The exposition highlights the distinction between the Father and the Son within the Trinity, affirming both the deity and humanity of Christ. By analyzing the word "forsaken," the message reveals that the Father's temporary abandonment of the Son was a necessary act of judgment for the sins of humanity. Ultimately, this substitutionary suffering serves as the foundation for the believer's assurance that God will never leave or forsake them, offering profound comfort and a call to trust in Christ's finished work.