Discipleship on SermonAudio

The sermon explores the sovereign authority of Jesus Christ as demonstrated in Mark chapter one, establishing His power over human will, spiritual forces, and physical ailments. It then focuses on the Parable of the Sower to illustrate the varied responses to the Word of the Kingdom, emphasizing that the heart is the battleground for faith. The preacher explains how hardness of heart, superficial belief, and worldly cares can choke the seed, while true discipleship requires a receptive heart nurtured by Christ's grace. Ultimately, the message highlights Jesus as both the Sower who sows the Word and the one who preserves the good ground to produce fruit for His glory. The central call is to hear the Word with attentive faith and submit to the authority of the Kingdom that is at hand.

Idolatry is not limited to statues, temples, or false gods from the ancient world. An idol is anything we look to for ultimate identity, meaning, security, value, or satisfaction instead of God. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins examines modern cultural idols such as success, comfort, relationships, political identity, and personal freedom. He explains how even good things become spiritually dangerous when they become ultimate, why idols cannot provide lasting satisfaction, and how Christians can examine their hearts and return to the worship of God alone. For more episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Not everything that sounds spiritual comes from God. Spiritual language, emotional sincerity, personal experience, and cultural popularity are not sufficient tests of truth. Christians are commanded in 1 John 4:1 not to believe every spirit, but to test the spirits according to the written Word of God. In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins explains how Christians can grow in biblical discernment in a culture that increasingly treats truth as personal and flexible. He considers Scripture as the final standard, the biblical truth about Jesus Christ as an essential doctrinal test, and the importance of developing discernment through regular Bible reading, sound preaching, and faithful participation in the local church. Biblical discernment is not merely the ability to identify false teachers. It is the Spirit-enabled maturity to understand, handle, and apply God's Word accurately. As Christians become increasingly grounded in Scripture, they are better prepared to recognize deception, help those trapped in error, and stand firm when the culture around them shifts. For more from Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Science is a valuable tool for observing and understanding the natural world, but it was never intended to serve as humanity's ultimate authority. Scientism goes beyond scientific investigation by claiming that only what can be measured, tested, or observed can be considered true. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains the difference between science and scientism, the limits of scientific inquiry, and why scientism is ultimately a philosophical belief rather than a scientific conclusion. Science can help us understand how God's creation works, but it cannot answer ultimate questions about morality, meaning, purpose, or our existence. Christians must evaluate every claim through the truth of Scripture and remember that all truth ultimately comes from God. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Proverbs 14 presents a clear contrast between the wise and the foolish. Wisdom builds, seeks understanding, fears the Lord, and considers the consequences of daily choices. Foolishness tears down, trusts appearances, acts recklessly, and follows a path that leads to destruction. In this episode of Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, Dave Jenkins explains why not everything that seems right is truly right, how the fear of the Lord provides confidence and refuge, and why our daily choices reveal the direction of our hearts. Proverbs 14 ultimately points us to Jesus Christ, the perfectly wise One. Through Christ, our sins are forgiven, our hearts are renewed, and we are taught to walk according to the wisdom and truth of God's Word. For more from Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/reading-the-bible-daily-with-dave/

Many believers wonder if they need formal accountability partners to overcome sin, but human structures cannot replace a genuine fear of the Lord. Instead of rigid programs, the New Testament emphasizes organic biblical discipleship that flows naturally from faithful involvement in a local church. True Christian accountability happens in the context of mutual love, where confessing sin and spiritual growth are supported by wise companions and family life. A reverential awe of God is the true foundation for living a holy life.

We are to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord – but what are the basics of doing this? The dads talk about their own practices: the place of family worship…what they've learned about sanctification taking place in daily activities…which books of the Bible they focus on most…how to instill doctrine systematically while keeping it relevant to life…helping kids deal with opposing worldviews…and making the home safe for questioning.

Why does the book of Romans matter, and why do Christians need its message today? Romans gives us a clear, ordered, and Spirit-inspired explanation of the gospel of God. It reveals the holiness and righteousness of God, exposes the universal guilt of sinners, declares justification by faith alone in Christ alone, and explains how the grace that saves also transforms the lives of God's people. In this introductory sermon to the Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything series, Dave Jenkins provides an overview of the major themes of Romans. He considers the depth of human sin, the righteousness of Christ, union with Christ, life in the Holy Spirit, the sovereign mercy of God, and the gospel-shaped life of the church. Romans brings clarity in a confused age because it directs us away from human effort, cultural approval, and self-righteousness and brings us to Jesus Christ alone. The book of Romans is not merely a theological work to be mastered. It is the Word of God, given to humble, comfort, correct, strengthen, and transform God's people through the gospel. For more from our Romans series please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/category/sermons/romans-the-gospel-that-changes-everything/

New Age deception often borrows Christian language, quotes Bible verses, and speaks about Jesus while presenting teachings that contradict the Word of God. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Doreen Virtue identifies several warning signs of New Age deception. She explains how New Age teachers promise healing, relationships, prosperity, success, and peace through simple spiritual methods. They may speak about Jesus while redefining Him as an enlightened teacher, a universal spiritual figure, or an example of "Christ consciousness." Christians must carefully examine every spiritual claim according to Scripture. True and lasting peace cannot be found through glorifying the self or searching for answers within. It is found only through the biblical Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Proverbs 13 teaches that wisdom is not a one-time decision but a daily walk. Our response to instruction, the words we speak, the relationships we choose, and the path we follow all shape the direction of our lives. In this episode of Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, Dave Jenkins explains why the wise remain teachable, guard their speech, walk with wise companions, and trust the Lord during seasons of waiting. Proverbs ultimately points us to Jesus Christ. He perfectly listened to the Father, spoke the truth, and walked in complete righteousness. Through faith in Christ, our sins are forgiven, our hearts are changed, and we are empowered to grow in biblical wisdom. For more from Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/reading-the-bible-daily-with-dave/