Death on SermonAudio

Big Questions our Lives Depend on: Luke 24:1-12 Pastor Richard Holdeman Don't anchor your life to a world of death; rather, come to Jesus and find abundant life.

This sermon explores the theological significance of the darkness that covered the land during the second half of Jesus' crucifixion, as recorded in Matthew 27:45. The speaker argues that this event was a supernatural act of God fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, particularly Amos 8, and serves as a profound symbol of spiritual realities. The darkness represents the weight of human sin, the severe affliction of the Messiah, the wrath of divine judgment, the power of demonic forces, and the reality of death. By enduring this darkness in place of sinners, Jesus the Creator and Light of the World defeats these powers and secures salvation for believers. The message concludes with the assurance that through Christ's sacrifice, believers are called out of the darkness of sin and ignorance into the marvelous light of God's salvation.

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-10 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 KJV [6] I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [7] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. [8] Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. The sermon centers on the promise that while humans plant and water, God alone gives the increase, applying this truth to the spiritual growth of the church and the salvation of individuals. It addresses the historical division in the Corinthian church, urging believers to overcome strife and recognize their unity in Christ, where no minister is superior to another. The message emphasizes that salvation is a free gift of grace, not earned by works, and that the gospel of Christ's death and resurrection is the sole objective truth for a confused world. Listeners are challenged to examine their own standing before God, inviting unsaved individuals to trust in Jesus Christ to become part of God's increasing kingdom. The tone is both convicting and encouraging, assuring Christians that their labor for God's glory is noticed and rewarded, while calling all to rely on the finished work of Christ.

This sermon addresses the human anxiety regarding the uncertainty of the afterlife by examining Thomas's question in John 14 about knowing the way to heaven. The central message emphasizes that Jesus provides definitive clarity and assurance through His identity as the way, the truth, and the life. The exposition highlights that salvation is not achieved through human effort or moral performance but is exclusively found in the person and work of Christ, who prepared a place for believers in the Father's house. The tone is pastoral and convicting, urging listeners to move from religious confusion to confident faith in Jesus as the sole mediator between God and mankind. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a personal decision to trust in Christ for salvation, offering peace to those troubled by the prospect of death and separation.

Preaching from John 5:19-30, Pastor Rockhill addresses the modern skeptical charge that Jesus never claimed to be God. His central burden is to show that although Christ never uttered the exact words "I am God," both His works and His words plainly reveal His divine nature to any audience familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures. Pastor Rockhill traces how Jesus, having healed on the Sabbath, deepens rather than softens the claim of His deity. The Son does nothing apart from the Father, not as a mere puppet but in willing, loving submission, for the Father and the Son are one God. Their common work flows from a perfect, mutual love. Jesus then claims two works that belonged to God alone: giving life and executing final judgment. As the fountain of life, the Son grants eternal life to whom He will, raising the spiritually dead through the Word applied by the Spirit, and as the Son of Man of Daniel 7 He is the perfect, righteous Judge of all the earth. He unfolds the sovereignty of God in salvation, showing the one work of the triune God in regenerating sinners, and points to the coming resurrection with its two outcomes, life or condemnation. Pastor Rockhill closes with a searching pastoral appeal built on the two calls of the Son: the gracious gospel call to repent and believe today, and the sober summons to stand before the Judge at the last day. Far better, he urges, to hear Christ's voice now in faith and pass from death into everlasting life for the glory of God alone.

Today's Sunday School examines the doctrine of the Covenant of Works as articulated in Chapter 6 of the Baptist Confession of Faith. The teaching is structured around three key concepts: man is created upright and perfect in the image of God, man is covenanted through a sovereignly established law that promises life for obedience and death for breach, and man is crowned with a position of honor that includes original righteousness and communion with God. The discussion highlights the distinction between the law written on the heart and the specific positive command regarding the tree of knowledge, emphasizing that this covenant was initiated by God rather than sought by man. Furthermore, Pastor Jason addresses the temporary nature of this state, noting that despite Adam's favorable position and free will, he was mutable and capable of transgression, leading to his fall.

It Ain't Gonna Reign No More is my theological homophonic pun on the title of a catchy 1920's nonsense song that sold over 2 million copies. If you look it up online and play it (only about a minute long), I can almost guarantee you will get an earworm. We saw last time, from Romans 6:1-11, that by dint of your identification with Christ once you trust in His finished work on the cross to atone for your sin and give you new life, you have a new identity. Now sin is no longer your master, Jesus is your Master. In verse 11, the word consider is connected to the same root word as logic. The core meaning is to determine by a mathematical process, to reckon or calculate. From that basic idea come the more common meanings and uses: to count, take account of, to evaluate, estimate, look upon as, consider, to give careful thought to a matter, think (about), consider, ponder, let one's mind dwell on, believe, be of the opinion. How do you consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God? Based upon knowing that you have been baptized into His death and knowing that your old man was crucified with Him, 1) Consider yourself dead to sin (verse 11). 2) Present yourself to God (verse 13). Three commands in the next three verses shape what to do. They're followed by some wonderful explanations, which we will survey. Here's an outline based upon the structure and nuances of the passage. 1 - Do Not Keep On Letting Sin Reign (12) 2 - Do Not Keep On Presenting (13a) 3 - Urgently Present Yourselves To God (13b) 4 - For You Are Under Grace (14) 5 - Here Is What I Mean (15-23)