Assurance on SermonAudio

PM sermons are preceded by a Confessional, Catechism, Historic Creed lesson, or a lesson from the NT (Usually 5 minutes or so) Heidelberg Catechism Q86 Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace through Christ without any merit of our own, why then should we do good works? A. Because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, is also restoring us by his Spirit into his image, so that with our whole lives we may show that we are thankful to God for his benefits, so that he may be praised through us, so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits, and so that by our godly living our neighbors may be won over to Christ. Q91 What are good works? A. Only those which are done out of true faith, conform to God's law, and are done for God's glory; and not those based on our own opinion or human tradition.

This sermon explores the narrative of Abraham interceding for Sodom in Genesis 18, emphasizing the profound impact of persistent, burdened prayer on God's actions. The speaker highlights that while prayers may appear to go unanswered or 'up in smoke,' God remains faithful to remember the efforts of His people, often working redemption in ways that exceed human expectation. Through personal testimonies of family struggles and eventual restoration, the message encourages believers to continue wrestling with God for the lost, trusting that He honors their devotion even when outcomes differ from their hopes. The tone is pastoral and encouraging, urging the congregation to take up the mantle of intercessory prayer for their communities, families, and loved ones, assuring them that God sees and acts upon their faithfulness.

This sermon continues to explore the doctrine of God's providence, illustrating how He sovereignly permits, prevents, and limits sin to accomplish His ultimate purposes. Through examples such as David's endurance of Shimei's cursing and the consequences of his census, the message emphasizes that human suffering and moral failure are often under divine oversight for the sake of God's glory. The text contrasts God's restraint of evil with His allowance of human freedom, urging believers to trust in His wisdom even when circumstances appear unjust or incomprehensible. It further addresses the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, affirming that prayer and civic engagement remain essential acts of faith. The sermon concludes by assuring the audience that all things work together for good for those who love God, ultimately pointing to the glorification of His name as the final end of history.

This sermon explores the believer's response to suffering by examining 1 Peter 1:6-9, emphasizing that trials are temporary and serve to refine faith rather than destroy it. The message highlights the coexistence of genuine sorrow and great rejoicing, urging believers to cast their cares upon God who knows their specific struggles. It reinterprets the concept of contentment through Philippians 4, illustrating that strength comes from Christ regardless of circumstances. The sermon concludes with the assurance of a glorious salvation, where faith is replaced by sight and all pain is removed, encouraging believers to view their current hardships as precious processes that produce gold-like purity.

John urges believers not to accept every spiritual claim. We must first test the spirits by whether they confess Jesus Christ truly came in the flesh. False teachers reject apostolic truth about Christ. Those who belong to God listen to the apostles' teaching. We consider 5 tests that John gives to help Christians discern truth from error. We are assured the Spirit of God is greater than the spirit of error, and truth can be recognized when hearing God's Word.

This exposition examines the Reformed doctrine of predestination, specifically focusing on the Westminster Confession of Faith's treatment of God's sovereign decree regarding the non-elect and the assurance of the elect. The speaker emphasizes that God's withholding of mercy is an act of justice that glorifies His power, while the extension of mercy to the elect is purely of grace, stripping believers of any grounds for pride. By referencing Romans 9 and 2 Peter 1, this episode argues that true understanding of this high mystery leads not to intellectual arrogance but to deep reverence, humility, and diligent obedience. It concludes by urging believers to find abundant consolation in the certainty of their effectual calling, ensuring that theological knowledge fuels praise and active participation in the local church rather than mere academic curiosity.

This sermon explores Psalm 11 as a call to trust in God's sovereignty amidst the temptation to flee from suffering. The central message contrasts the unreliable sight of human fear with the reliable reality of God's presence in His holy temple, emphasizing that the Lord sees, tests, and ultimately judges the wicked. By identifying the 'Righteous One' as a Christological figure who endures the cup of wrath, the text highlights the theology of the cross as the foundation for Christian hope. The tone is pastoral and instructional, encouraging believers to adopt a posture of resolute courage and to view their trials through the lens of faith rather than sight. Ultimately, the sermon assures the audience that because God is righteous and sees all, the upright can confidently expect to behold His face.

This devotional explores the challenging spiritual discipline of stillness, drawing primarily from Psalm 46:10 to encourage believers to release their anxiety and trust in God's sovereignty. It highlights the theological distinction between silence as an absence of response and silence as a profound sign of divine intimacy and confidence. By referencing Oswald Chambers, the message emphasizes that true prayer seeks the glorification of God rather than immediate personal relief, leading to a deep assurance that He has heard and will act according to His promises. The tone is pastoral and instructive, guiding the audience to move from agitation to a resting peace that acknowledges God's exaltation and judgment of the nations.

This devotional explores the theological definition of true repentance as the dying of the old nature and the coming to life of the new, grounded in the Heidelberg Catechism. The central message emphasizes that while salvation is entirely God's work, it results in a tangible transformation where believers are no longer enslaved to sin but are empowered to walk in newness of life. Drawing primarily from Ephesians 2, the teaching contrasts the spiritual deadness of the former self with the resurrection life granted through grace, using the metaphor of spiritual zombies to illustrate the futility of the old way. The sermon further instructs that this renewal is an ongoing process of cooperation with the Holy Spirit, requiring believers to actively put off sinful remnants and put on the new self created in righteousness and holiness. The tone is instructional and pastoral, aiming to assure believers of their new identity while challenging them to evidence this change through godly conduct.