Eric Ludy Sermon Podcast: Church at Ellerslie

How important is the doctrine of Hell? For as little as we teach on or think about Hell, it is an essential component of the Gospel. Without a real Hell, the Cross and Resurrection lose their triumphant power. This message given on Resurrection Sunday reminds us of the Hell we have been saved from and the power of being resurrected with Christ. Let us not be afraid to look full in the face of death and Hell, for they have lost their sting for the believer!

How does a place like Ellerslie get started? Some dreams are realized rather quickly, and others take two decades to come to fruition! This message chronicles the story of the founding of Ellerslie and with humility and richness, captures the heart of what takes place in the training programs. Unlike other messages, “The History of Ellerslie” is given in the format of teaching as opposed to preaching in order to simply share the beauty of the testimony God has been building at Ellerslie. It is a refreshing reminder of the faithfulness of God and a celebration of what He has done here in the last four years.

Is your relationship with God an intimate love of the heart or an acknowledgment of the mind? Most of us long for intimacy with God while not know how to begin to cultivate it. This message explains the inner workings of intimacy, the vast treasure of a loving relationship with Christ, and how to access the depths of all of it. If we want to draw out the sweetest waters of salvation, we must be willing to put in the effort to gain them—so let us draw near today!

In John's gospel, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees one day and declared that all Scripture testifies of Him. The fulfillment of prophecies assure us of the canonicity of the Old Testament, but what provides us confidence in the canonicity of the New Testament? This message delves into the book of Revelation and reveals the heavenly witness to the validity of the Word of God in the New Testament. What a privilege we have as believers to have so many reasons to believe the testimony of our Lord and His life on this earth!

Throughout Scripture we see that there is a pattern passed down through righteous men that they are expected to build and live according to. But what is the pattern, and does it have anything to do with us? This message is about becoming eyewitnesses of the pattern—the righteousness of Christ—and living in accordance with what we have seen. Let us be faithful to build our lives in light of the Example laid out before us!

Do you ever wonder what living by faith is supposed to look like practically? In our zeal to trust God in all things, we can sometimes assume it means never working a job or never going to the doctor because "God will come through." But does God ever use humble means to supply for His children, even if it doesn't look very supernatural? This message attempts to answer that question and lead us onward in a mature faith that depends on God's providence, no matter what form it takes.

Have you ever read Acts and felt like you needed more power in your spiritual life? But if we're honest, we're not quite sure we know what that would look like or if we'd be comfortable with it. This message presses us to cry out for more of the Spirit of God, while also reminding us of the process of growing up to be ready for walking in the full power of the Spirit. May we not be quick to ask for external evidences of power when we have not proven the power of God in our inner lives.

Have you ever noticed a laxness in your soul after gaining victory... a slowness to turn from sin and a tolerance of small compromises? It is in those moments that we are in desperate need for an “egkrateian” growl: a fierce determination to “let not sin therefore reign.” This message is about kicking out sin and keeping it out, giving no space for the flesh to take territory in our souls. Let us set our faces like flint and maintain a growl against anything that would keep us from Christ.

"Yes, Sir. Right away, Sir. Whatever you say, Sir." These are the words of a yes-man—the sort of man we typically deem weak and brainless. But is there a right way to be a yes-man? This message examines the principle of control and authority, shining light upon who really holds the voice of power in our souls. As Christians, are we submitted to the voice of God alone, saying, "Yes, Lord, whatever pleases You?” Or are we bowing to the voice of the world, shutting out the wisdom of our Shepherd's words?

How many of us have given thought to the fact that one day we will reign alongside of Christ? Most of us have no clue how to rule a nation! And yet in the book of Proverbs we have been given access to the wisdom of the King of all kings in order to govern our every affair with excellence. This message highlights the purpose and value of the proverbs and how we can begin right now to access and apply their wisdom to our lives. Let us train in the small matters that we may rule our domains as Christ rules His kingdom!