Eric Ludy Sermon Podcast: Church at Ellerslie

In the protestant reformation the men of God declared 'Five Solae' or "Only's" which the Church must stand upon. Indeed the Church in every generation needs to be often reminded what it is that we're standing for. We must stand for the solae of the gospel. Which is ultimately, standing for Jesus Christ alone.

If we were to imagine what a true man looks like, a ruddy shepherd boy would not be our first pick. That is, unless we understood what it truly meant to be a ruddy shepherd boy. After all, it was a ruddy shepherd boy who destroyed the giant, Goliath. This message is a call for authentic, faith- filled Christianity that is willing to be built in the way that God chooses, for He delights to use humble, faithful, and child-like men and women to accomplish His purposes.

Like its unusual title, this message packs a unique punch in the arena of appetite. Cultural trends encourage us to overindulge in the food we eat instead of enjoying it with self-control and gratitude. Like many sins, the real core of gluttony is an attitude of self-entitlement, demanding that we have what we want when we want it. Allow the Spirit of God to reveal the remnants of entitlement in your soul so that you can properly enjoy the pleasures God has given.

The idea of faith is at the cornerstone of Christianity. But the fact that God is unchanging and eternal is at the cornerstone of faith. Simply put, God is always the same. And whereas this may not seem like that big of a deal at first, it's a game-changer to the soul when you actually stop and begin to really ponder it.

For thousands of years, Jews have trembled to speak the name of God. Because of Christ, Christians have not only the privilege of speaking His name, but bearing His name as their own. Looking in depth at the meaning of Yahweh, this message unveils the power and beauty of the unspeakable name which has been given to us in Christ Jesus. May we walk in a manner worthy of this glorious name.

"...in the name of Jesus, amen!" Have you used the word "amen" at the end of a prayer, unsure of what you were actually saying? This short Biblical word is traditionally used as a declaration of an agreement in prayer, or as a period placed on the end of a prayer to indicate that it was finished. Although these are proper uses of the word, we see throughout the pages of Scripture that "Amen" is actually a name of God, and it means that He has performed, currently is performing, and always will preform what is promised. This message directs our eyes towards the cross to behold the the faithful, merciful, and saving God. Oh, Believer, what do you say in response to what God has done? Let us not be afraid to boldly declare "AMEN!".

This message focuses upon our tendency as humans to shift the blame on someone else when we are in the wrong. Wanting to escape the sting of conviction, we make rash accusations and attempt to clear our names of guilt. Therein lies the problem: there is no justification apart from Christ. "Lord, It Was the Woman!" takes us back to the heart of the Gospel and opens our eyes to the ways that we subtly discount the sufficiency of Christ's death.

"What is my calling? What is my unique role in the Body?" These are questions that we are frequently encouraged to consider, but they can easily tempt us to focus upon how we can be significant on our own. This sermon focuses upon how men were built with a desire to be significant and world-changing. However, God's pattern for making a man significant is not the world's way. God's way of making men world-changers is by taking them through the cross—through dying to make Christ significant.

Scripture says that Abraham was justified by faith, but it also says that he was justified by works. Have you ever struggled with understanding faith vs. works? This message takes on the challenge and exhorts us not to have one or the other, but to have a "faith that goes to work." True faith is not limp and passive, but it labors hard and exerts itself to believe God regardless of the evidence of the natural realm. Let us exert the faith we have to joyfully believe an eternally trustworthy God—He will not fail us!