Enemies on SermonAudio

Christian persecution is rising in the five nations with the most evangelicals: the United States, China, India, Brazil, and Nigeria. In Nigeria alone, thousands of believers have been killed this year. Why is it happening, and what should Christians in America do about it? Kevin Swanson sees a spiritual battle behind the headlines, and a lesson in it: Jesus never promised His disciples an easy road. Then Bill Jack of Worldview Academy joins him in studio to talk about the opportunity the church missed over the last several years, why so many Christians want Jesus as Savior but not as King, and what it looks like to stand firm when the pushback comes. They point to their friend Jack Phillips, the Colorado baker who has fought for his convictions for over a decade while staying humble and kind and praying for those who opposed him. Their message is simple. Rejoice, love your enemies, and don't give up. #ChristianPersecution #ChristianWorldview #StandFirm #KevinSwanson #GenerationsRadio

Sermon Notes "Whose Plan Will Stand?" Acts 23:12-35 I. The enemies of the gospel make their plans (12-15) II. The providence of God works through ordinary means (16-22) III. The promise of Christ determines the outcome (23-35)

THE DAY I RAISED MY RIGHT HAND! ["I Swore to Defend My Country—But I Surrendered My Life to the King!"] 2 Timothy 4:6–8 KJV There is a day many American veterans will never forget—the day they raised their right hand and solemnly swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.That oath represented commitment, sacrifice, and a willingness to serve something greater than personal comfort.Through the testimony of the Apostle Paul, we discover three great truths: 1. THE OATH I TOOK — A PROMISE I WAS EXPECTED TO KEEP 2. THE ENEMY I FACED — A BATTLE BIGGER THAN I REALIZED 3. THE KING I SERVE — AN ALLEGIANCE THAT WILL NEVER END This message honors America's veterans while reminding every listener that our greatest hope is not found in earthly citizenship, military achievement, or patriotic devotion, but in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.Military service may come to an end, but the believer's eternal life in Christ never will.

The sermon explores Psalm 18:2, emphasizing David's declaration that the Lord is his rock, fortress, and deliverer. It highlights the unchanging nature of Jehovah, the covenant-keeping God, who remains faithful through David's trials and persecution by Saul. The message connects David's personal experience to the broader theological truth that God preserves His people for the ultimate purpose of bringing forth Christ, the Savior. Believers are encouraged to find refuge, stability, and security in God, who stands between them and their enemies, while sinners are called to trust in Christ for eternal salvation and assurance.

This sermon explores the conditional promises found in Proverbs chapter two, emphasizing that spiritual growth requires active engagement with God's Word. The speaker outlines a four-step process: receiving God's words, hiding them in the heart to protect them from the enemy, inclining the ear to wisdom, and applying the heart to understanding. Through vivid analogies and personal testimony, the message challenges believers to move beyond passive faith and pursue a deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ. The tone is convicting yet encouraging, urging the congregation to seek wisdom with the same intensity they pursue material needs. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a reverent fear of the Lord and a commitment to investing in eternal things, promising that those who diligently seek understanding will find the knowledge of God.

This sermon examines Psalm 129 as a guide for believers facing persecution, organizing the message around three key concepts: persecution, promise, and prayer. It asserts that while the church has historically endured intense and frequent hostility from the world, God's righteous nature guarantees that evil will not ultimately prevail against His people. The text addresses the tension between imprecatory prayers in the Psalms and the New Testament command to love enemies, suggesting that modern believers should pray for the salvation of persecutors while trusting God to judge. Ultimately, the sermon points to Jesus Christ as the true Israel who bore the weight of persecution and was raised in victory, offering the church a secure hope that rests on His finished work rather than merely future expectations.

This sermon examines Psalm 17 as a Christological prayer, arguing that the psalmist's confident appeal to his own purity points to Jesus, the only truly righteous man whose prayers are heard by the Father. The teaching highlights the theological concept of imputed righteousness, explaining that believers are counted as righteous not by their own merit but by the transfer of Christ's perfect standing to them. The text is analyzed through its connections to the Exodus and Deuteronomy, emphasizing God's protective care for His people, described as being hidden in the shadow of His wings. The sermon contrasts the limited, earthly hope of the wicked with the eternal assurance of the righteous, who will behold God's face in the resurrection. This assurance is grounded in Christ's intercession, which delivers His people from their enemies and secures their ultimate vindication.

Can you see the value and place of repetitive, persevering prayer? Though you should never seek a formula, or engage in a mantra in your prayers, it's essential for you to grow in your relationship with God and desire to go to Jesus over and over again about the same troubles as they keep returning in your life. Praise God that He never tires in hearing your prayers for help, even as you seek Him sincerely with repeated petitions! Praise your Savior for His intimate knowledge of what it means to be poor and needy. For though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. Amen.

Ahaz was in dire need of deliverance, but he wouldn't take help from the Lord. God offered a way out of trouble, but he fell over himself to worship the gods of his enemies!