Discipleship on SermonAudio

The five principles of discipleship and a recap of the Ellingson's time as missionaries in Madagascar and future plans.

Main Idea: God Uses Suffering for His Glory & Our Good

Having pointed our attention to heavenly priorities, values, character traits, and behaviors, Jesus now closes His sermon by calling every hearer to examine himself. He highlights three areas of consideration for genuine discipleship: our sight, our speech, and our hearing.

John 6:22-59, https://crcalbany.com/sermons

Suffering is never easy, but it is not meaningless for the Christian. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how God uses trials to produce endurance, refine genuine faith, form godly character, deepen hope, and draw His people into greater dependence on Himself. Romans 5:3–5 teaches that suffering produces endurance, character, and hope. First Peter 1:6–7 reminds believers that trials test and refine faith like gold. God is at work even in painful seasons, shaping His people and strengthening their trust in Christ. Listen as we consider the biblical purpose of suffering and the steady hope believers have in the God who is near, faithful, and wise. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Our culture tells us to trust our hearts, follow our feelings, and live our truth. Scripture gives Christians a better foundation. God created emotions as gifts, but emotions were never intended to function as our authority. In this episode of the Weekly Watch, Dave Jenkins explains why feelings are real but not always reliable, why spiritual experiences must be tested by Scripture, and how Christians can submit their emotions to the unchanging truth of God's Word. Feelings change, but Jesus Christ and His Word remain unchanged. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

The devotional centers on the radical commitment required to follow Jesus, rooted in the principle of surrendering one's own will to God's. Drawing from Luke 9:23 and Jesus' declaration in John 6:38 that He came not to do His own will but the Father's, the message emphasizes that true discipleship begins with denying self and taking up one's cross daily. It challenges listeners to move beyond superficial goals—such as numerical growth or personal success—toward a deeper pursuit of Christ-centered character, intimacy with God, and obedience to His daily will. The sermon underscores that God's plan for each person is singular and specific, requiring continual surrender, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and the daily prayer of 'Not my will, but Yours be done.' Ultimately, walking in God's will brings joy, peace, and empowerment, while resisting it leads to spiritual emptiness and quenching of the Spirit.

Leaving the New Age involves more than rejecting false beliefs. New believers must learn to think, worship, build relationships, and live according to the Word of God. In this episode, Doreen Virtue explains why those coming out of New Age spirituality need biblical discipleship and active involvement in a faithful local church. She addresses spiritual warfare, lost friendships, church hurt, corporate worship, Christian fellowship, baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the importance of serving alongside other believers. Although online teaching can be helpful, it cannot replace belonging to the body of Christ. Christians need the biblical instruction, accountability, encouragement, fellowship, ordinances, and relationships God provides through the local church. For more biblical answers to your questions, visit Contending for the Word Q&A: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

The sermon outlines the essential DNA of a spiritual leadership culture, emphasizing that true influence requires a top-down approach where men invest in other men. It highlights three key pillars: prayerful unity without wrath, contagious gratitude for God's grace to strengthen believers, and cascading proactivity through intentional discipleship. Drawing from 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy, the text argues against passive leadership or insecure control, advocating instead for a model of shared ministry where leaders empower others to teach and lead. This replicating structure ensures that theological truths become applied habits, fostering a resilient community grounded in grace and mutual encouragement.