Courage on SermonAudio

Waiting on God can be one of the hardest things we ever do, especially when everything in us is telling us to quit waiting and take matters into our own hands. Psalm 27 reminds us that a strong heart is built in the waiting room, as we learn to have the right opinion of God, the right desires, the right dependence, and the right direction while trusting Him to strengthen our hearts.

This sermon expounds on Deuteronomy 20, illustrating how believers must rely on God's infinite power rather than their own limited resources when facing spiritual warfare. It emphasizes that true victory comes through faith, which allows Christians to see beyond the overwhelming size and strength of their enemies. The message highlights the role of divine instruction in preparing the church for battle while warning against the destructive impact of sin within the community. Furthermore, it offers pastoral comfort by reminding listeners that God actively fights on behalf of His people, ensuring their ultimate salvation from the penalty, power, and presence of sin. This enduring trust in God's faithfulness provides the courage needed to persevere through trials without fear or retreat.

King David leaves his last instructions for Solomon and then dies. This chapter details Solomon following and fulfilling those instructions as the throne of David is established in the hands of Solomon. Also Reference: 1 Timothy 6:6, (1 Samuel 22), (2 Samuel 3), (2 Samuel 20) https://bbfohio.com

The sermon explores the inevitability of persecution for believers, using Paul's journey to Jerusalem in Acts 21 as a primary example of willing submission to God's will despite warnings of imprisonment and death. It contrasts the modern church's tendency to seek prestige and comfort with the biblical mandate to love one's life not unto death, citing Revelation 12:11 and the story of the two witnesses. The text argues that suffering for righteousness serves God's kingdom purpose, referencing Psalm 7 and Jeremiah to show that God ultimately judges persecutors while calling believers to endure with a clean conscience. The message concludes with the Beatitudes from Matthew 5, emphasizing that those persecuted for Christ's sake are blessed and inherit the kingdom of heaven, urging listeners to find joy and strength in their faith rather than seeking to avoid all conflict.

The sermon explores the profound isolation of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4, where he experienced total abandonment by his associates. Despite this human desertion, Paul found that the Lord stood with him, providing essential strength and empowerment for his ministry. The preacher illustrates this truth through personal anecdotes about mentorship and the disappointment of broken relationships to highlight the danger of placing ultimate trust in people. The central message emphasizes that God's presence offers a unique security and courage that human support cannot replicate. Believers are encouraged to rely on divine preservation and deliverance rather than the reliability of others.

In Matthew 27:11–26, two men stand before the crowd: Jesus Christ and Barabbas. One is completely innocent; the other is unquestionably guilty. Yet the crowd cries for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be crucified. In this remarkable scene, we are given a powerful picture of the gospel. Barabbas deserved condemnation, but Jesus took his place. And in Barabbas, we see ourselves. Scripture teaches that all have sinned and stand guilty before a holy God. We cannot rescue ourselves through good works, religion, morality, or personal effort. We do not merely need improvement—we need a Savior and a Substitute. Jesus willingly became that Substitute. Throughout Scripture, God prepared His people to understand that the guilty could be spared because another stood in their place. At Calvary, all those shadows find their fulfillment in Christ. Jesus bears the judgment sinners deserve so that everyone who trusts in Him may receive forgiveness, righteousness, peace, and freedom. This passage also confronts us with Pilate's haunting question: "What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" We must not simply follow the crowd, seek the approval of others, or remain comfortably near Christianity without personally trusting Christ. The good news is that the prison door has been opened. The debt has been paid. Christ has taken the place of guilty sinners. Come to Him empty-handed. Rest in His finished work. And if Christ has set you free, live joyfully, gratefully, and courageously for the One who took your place.

The sermon addresses the pervasive spiritual darkness of the modern world, citing societal shifts such as abortion and changing definitions of gender as evidence of moral decay. It argues that believers must counter this darkness by becoming salt and light through a transformed attitude, deep faith in God's sovereignty, and courageous witness. The preacher emphasizes that personal holiness and reliance on the Holy Spirit are essential for effective ministry and revival. Using personal anecdotes about overcoming cancer and raising children, the message highlights the necessity of determination and enthusiasm in the Christian walk. Ultimately, it calls the congregation to stop merely observing the darkness and actively shine God's truth through their lives and actions.