Christians on SermonAudio

The sermon interprets Hebrews 12:1-3 as a practical exhortation for believers to persevere in the Christian life, which is depicted as a long-distance race requiring endurance and discipline. It distinguishes between the passive reception of salvation and the active effort required to live out one's faith, urging Christians to remove non-sinful 'weights' and actively lay aside sin to maintain spiritual momentum. The central instruction is to fix one's gaze on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, rather than looking back at past failures or worldly distractions. By contemplating Christ's endurance of the cross and his exaltation, believers are empowered to overcome weariness and maintain a singular focus on the goal. The message concludes with the assurance that Christ, who began the work of faith in believers, will faithfully complete it, sustaining them through trials until they reach the finish line.

Christian love includes correction. 1. Presume upon it. 2. Prepare for it. 3. Protect by it.

Paul argues that the abundant availability of grace does not invite Christians to continue enslavement to sin. Believers have been baptized into the death of Christ and are dead to sin—we will not remain in it.

When you become a Christian and follow Jesus, take your ease, sit back, relax and enjoy the show, right?? Wrong!!! Learn that the Bible teaches we are to work, work hard, and work some more. Opposite what we've heard from popular culture. But remember, the rewards will be great, if not in this life then the next.

Church history reminds us that God has sustained His people through persecution, false teaching, and difficult seasons. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins reflects on how faithful Christians from the past encourage perseverance and biblical conviction. Drawing from Hebrews 13:7 and Hebrews 12:1–2, Dave explains how believers can learn from their examples without idolizing them and stand firm with confidence in Christ. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

GOD SPEAKS THROUGH HIS CHURCH.Ephesians 4:11–16, 25–29 KJV God never intended the Christian life to be lived in isolation. He places believers together in the body of Christ, where we worship, grow, serve, encourage one another, and hear His truth proclaimed. In Ephesians 4:11–16, Paul explains that Christ gave leaders to His church "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Through faithful preaching, biblical teaching, godly counsel, encouragement, and the fellowship of mature believers, God often uses His church to bring His Word to bear upon our lives. But God speaking through His church never means that human opinion replaces Scripture. Everything must be tested by the Word of God. The church is most useful in speaking into our lives when it faithfully communicates what God has already revealed in His Word. Paul also teaches that spiritual maturity changes the way we communicate with one another. We are commanded to "speak the truth in love" and to use words that are "good to the use of edifying." That means every believer has a responsibility. Our words can discourage or strengthen, wound or heal, tear down or build up. This lesson challenges us to ask: Am I listening when God uses His church to speak truth into my life—and are my words helping others hear and follow Him? God speaks through a church that is grounded in Scripture, growing in Christ, speaking truth in love, and building up the body.