Boasting on SermonAudio

Q: What do the works of the flesh reveal about those who have no part in God's kingdom? A: The works of the flesh expose a life opposed to God, while those who belong to Christ are freed from sin's dominion and transformed by the Spirit.

Pastor Mark Hogan teaches on the fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer, 'Give us this day our daily bread' (Matthew 6:11), the first petition that addresses physical, temporal needs. He explains that 'bread' is a synecdoche for all bodily sustenance, citing Genesis 3:19, Psalm 104:15, Psalm 132:15, and the Heidelberg Catechism, and notes the request is deliberately modest—today's necessities, not riches—paralleling Agur's prayer in Proverbs 30:8. Hogan says the petition cultivates daily prayer, dependence on God's providence, contentment (1 Timothy 6:8), gratitude modeled on Jesus's mealtime thanksgivings, generosity toward needy believers (James 2), sanctified enjoyment of God's gifts (Psalm 104, Ecclesiastes), and prayerful labor, as in Moses's plea to 'establish the work of our hands'—the opposite of Nebuchadnezzar's boast. Believers should pray this petition confidently (Psalm 37:25; 34:9) and seek provisions so they may hallow God's name and seek His kingdom (1 Corinthians 10:31). Practically, parents should teach children that food on the table is a product of God's beneficence, to be received thankfully without grumbling like Israel craving Egypt's food. He closes with Ursinus's warning that the petition restrains 'raging and boundless desires,' echoing Matthew Henry: 'nature is content with little, grace with less, lust with nothing.'

This sermon meditates on James 4:13-17, challenging believers to examine their attitudes toward planning and the future. The central argument is that human life is transient, described as a vapor that appears briefly and then vanishes, which should humble the heart against the arrogance of presumptuous boasting. While planning and business are not inherently sinful, they become evil when driven by pride rather than a recognition of God's sovereignty. The text urges believers to adopt a posture of submission, acknowledging that only God knows what tomorrow holds and that all actions should be contingent upon His will. This attitude of humility is contrasted with the sin of omission, where knowing the right course of action but failing to submit one's life to God constitutes a failure in duty.

The sermon explores the Apostle Paul's experience of a heavenly revelation and his subsequent thorn in the flesh to illustrate that God's grace is sufficient for all believers. It contrasts human pride with divine humility, explaining that suffering serves to keep Christians dependent on God rather than their own strength. The central message emphasizes that God's power is perfected in human weakness, transforming trials into opportunities for Christ's glory. By trusting in God's sovereign providence, believers find comfort and strength even when their prayers for relief are unanswered. Ultimately, the text calls listeners to boast only in their weaknesses so that the power of Christ may dwell in them.

The sermon emphasizes the critical need to protect the gospel of grace against the dual threats of legalism and license. Drawing from Galatians 6, the speaker argues that salvation is entirely based on Christ's work rather than human effort or external rituals. The message highlights that true transformation comes from an internal regeneration by faith, not from trying to earn righteousness through rule-keeping. By focusing on the cross as the sole ground for boasting, believers find freedom from shame and condemnation. Ultimately, the gospel offers peace and mercy to all who trust solely in Jesus Christ for their salvation.

The sermon expounds on Ephesians 2 to establish that salvation is exclusively a gift of God's grace received through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than the result of human works or religious affiliation. It contrasts the death of humanity with the life provided by Christ, emphasizing that no amount of good deeds or church membership can earn redemption. The speaker warns against the danger of relying on personal merit or tradition, citing John 3 and Romans 10 to clarify that belief in Christ is the sole requirement for forgiveness and eternal life. By illustrating the futility of trying to boast in one's own efforts, the message underscores that salvation is a free gift available only through trusting in the finished work of Jesus. The ultimate intent is to urge listeners to resolve any doubts about their spiritual state by placing their complete trust in Christ alone.

1. Arrogant Boasting 2. Godly Boasting 3. Delightful Boasting Text: Jeremiah 9:24

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