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This sermon examines the nuanced teachings of Jesus in Matthew 7 regarding the proper exercise of judgment and the nature of persistent prayer. It distinguishes between rash, hypocritical criticism and righteous judgment, emphasizing that believers must first address their own sins before addressing those of others. The text further clarifies the distinction between sharing the gospel with the unsaved and engaging in doctrinal debate, urging Christians to recognize the limits of human persuasion in spiritual matters. Finally, the lesson highlights the assurance of God's faithfulness in answering the prayers of His children, contrasting the imperfect love of earthly parents with the perfect, sovereign care of the Heavenly Father.

The Cornell controversy has everyone debating accusations and choosing sides. But what happens when biblical standards are abandoned long before a scandal reaches the headlines?

Jonathan Edwards's Treatise on the Religious Affections - language updated to a more modern English. "In the Preface to A Treatise on the Religious Affections, Jonathan Edwards argues that determining the true nature of saving faith is the single most vital question facing humanity, yet it remains deeply obscured by widespread debate and counterfeit experiences. Reflecting on past spiritual awakenings—from biblical revivals to the Protestant Reformation and New England's Great Awakening—Edwards explains how Satan consistently undermines divine revivals not through open persecution, but by mixing false, unexamined emotionalism with true holiness. Unmasking these counterfeits is essential, as mistaking false zeal for genuine grace leads to spiritual self-deception, bitter division among Christians, and the eventual decay of genuine revivals. Edwards writes this treatise to provide clear, biblical criteria for distinguishing the saving operations of the Holy Spirit from non-saving spiritual counterfeits, urging believers to pursue lasting spiritual clarity.

A false teacher is defined as one who teaches doctrine contrary to the sound words of the apostles of Christ. The controversialist is one kind of false teacher who uses word fights for self-promotion. In light of the bad fruit produced by controversialists, we must rely on the wholesome teaching of Scripture and pursue godliness and love rather than engaging in unprofitable debates that damage the body of Christ.

(AI Generated Summary) This sermon explores the central tenet of the Reformation, Sola Fide, arguing that justification is received by faith alone apart from works of the law. It distinguishes the biblical gospel from self-salvation by examining Romans 3:28 and the theological debate surrounding the imputation of Christ's righteousness versus the infusion of righteousness. The message emphasizes that God justifies the ungodly through the propitiation of Christ, thereby excluding human boasting and ensuring that glory belongs to God alone. By tracing the argument from the universal condemnation of sin to the remedy of grace, the sermon invites listeners to rely entirely on Christ's finished work for their standing before God.

This sermon explores the life of Martin Luther and his pivotal discovery of justification by faith, contrasting it with a fresh exegetical analysis of James 2:14-26. The speaker argues that the traditional Reformation view misinterprets James as addressing eternal salvation, whereas the text actually addresses the temporal consequences of sin for believers who claim to have faith but lack corresponding works. By examining the Greek context and the role of a hypothetical objector in the passage, the sermon posits that James is emphasizing the necessity of a living, active faith that produces good deeds, rather than debating the basis of initial justification. This perspective resolves the apparent tension between Paul's teaching in Romans and James's emphasis on works, presenting a unified view where faith is the root and works are the fruit of a vibrant Christian life. The tone is instructional and corrective, aiming to liberate believers from the anxiety of proving their salvation through works while affirming the essential link between genuine faith and practical love for neighbors.

On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther a monk and teacher at the college of Wittenburg nailed a public notice on the door of the chapel. It was an open invitation to a conversation he wanted to have about the practice of the sale of indulgences. It was printed in Latin, and copies were sent to the superior of Tetzle, and others in the church hierarchy. The posting was translated by students into German, copied on the newly invented Guttenberg press and within 2 weeks were all across Germany. This act became the spark that lit the fuse of the minds and hearts of men such as Tyndale, Knox and Calvin. The powder keg of the protestant reformation grew from a Catholic debate over an ad campaign (Joseph Tetzel's fundraising to support the building of St. Peter's Basilica) to an explosion of unimagined force and expanded into a movement of God that turned the entire world upside down. The basic principles of the reformation are captured in 5 statements called the "Sola's". Which translates to "Alone"…

This message examines two key passages relating to the role of women in the Church. These texts are well known to all who are familiar with the egalitarian/complementarian debates, but too often they are treated without careful attention to their historical, cultural, and situational contexts.

Acts 19 shows Paul dealing with the religious and philosophical confusion of the world. In Ephesians 4:14 he referred to people being "… Tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine..."