Carnality on SermonAudio

This sermon exhorts believers to serve God with humility and unwavering faithfulness, emphasizing that true ministry is about laboring for His glory rather than seeking human recognition. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 3, pastor Friesen defines ministers as servants who follow Christ's lead and remain faithful stewards of the gospel despite opposition or personal suffering. The message warns against the dangers of carnality and the desire for applause, urging Christians to commit themselves to their calling until Jesus returns. It highlights the importance of being a 'by whom' for others in spreading the truth and maintaining doctrinal integrity within the church community. Ultimately, the central focus is on enduring to the end, trusting that individual reward comes from Christ at the judgment seat rather than from earthly validation.

Samson did many mighty things through the power of God. He is mentioned in the Hebrews among the hall of faith, and yet Samson had so many failures to his credit as well.

The sermon explores the multifaceted nature of God as Savior through the epistle to Titus, highlighting salvation promised with godliness, presented with grace, and possessed by mercy. It emphasizes that believers must adorn the doctrine of God through sober living, sincere relationships, pure speech, and dedicated service across all stages of life. The message urges the church to reject worldly carnality and instead live in constant anticipation of Christ's glorious appearing. By focusing on the clarity of salvation through mercy rather than human works, the preacher calls for immediate obedience and personal holiness. Ultimately, the text serves as a pastoral exhortation to find peace in God's control while eagerly awaiting eternal reunion with Him.

A SERVANT'S HEART. Serving Faithfully While God Gives the Increase. 1 Corinthians 3:1–15 KJV In 1 Corinthians 3:5–15, Paul teaches that Christian service is not about making celebrities out of servants. Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. The field teaches us to be faithful, the building teaches us to be careful, and the fire teaches us to live for eternity. Jesus Christ is the only foundation, and one day every believer's work will be examined. Our responsibility is to plant, water, build, and faithfully serve. God gives the increase, and one day God gives the reward.

The sermon identifies carnality as a critical barrier to spiritual maturity, causing diminished communication, education, and transformation within the believer. It emphasizes that while carnal Christians possess eternal life, their focus on self and worldly pressures prevents them from growing or experiencing true joy. Pastor Friesen urges listeners to stop spinning their wheels on foundational doctrines like salvation and instead pursue obedience and a deepening relationship with God through Scripture and prayer. A significant portion of the message warns against envy and strife, illustrating how these sins poison relationships and hinder spiritual progress. Ultimately, the text calls for an excellent spirit modeled after Daniel, achieved by relying on God's grace rather than emotional manipulation or worldly validation.

A NEW HEART FOR A NEW FAITH Luke 5:33-39; Hebrews 8:6-12 SUMMARY: In one of the more difficult parables to interpret, Jesus, in declaring the superiority of the new covenant over the old, seems to refer to the great divide between two systems, two groups of people, and two kinds of hearts. I. A DIVIDE BETWEEN THE NEW SYSTEM AND THE OLD. A. Old System: a dead external religion. B. New system: a spiritual relationship with God. C. The two systems: Incompatible. II. A DIVIDE BETWEEN FRIENDS AND ENEMIES OF THE BRIDEGROOM. A. The Pharisees. B. The Disciples of John. C. Jesus & His Disciples. III. A DIVIDE BETWEEN THE NEW HEART AND THE OLD HEART. A. A new mind & a new heart. B. A new understanding of God: C. A new freedom in Christ's forgiveness. KRETZMANN: "The piety of the Pharisees, the religion of works which they flaunted before the eyes of the people, on the one hand, and the doctrine of Jesus, the preaching of the free grace of God through His blood, on the other, will never agree. If one insists on wearing his old garment of self-righteousness and works, and then believes it possible to cover an occasional revealing sin with the Gospel, he will find but poor comfort. His heart is still bound up in the old garment, and he will only make the incongruity appear the more glaring. It is just as foolish to keep new wine, grape-juice in the early stage of fermentation, in old skins that have lost their elasticity. The result is disastrous: The skins burst, the wine is spilled. But new skins and new wine are perfectly suited to each other. The sweet Gospel of the forgiveness of sins by the mercy of God does not fit into carnal, Pharisaic hearts.