Eric Ludy Sermon Podcast: Church at Ellerslie

This message is a catalyst of change for both intimacy with Christ and an intimacy in marriage. It brings this concept down from the clouds and into the realm of reality. The crucified, risen, and exalted Jesus Christ is truly knowable, and life in His kingdom is not a theory or a theology, but a very real and practical life-altering experience.

There is a yearning to be intimately near our beloved heavenly Father, but we often want nearness without following God's clear dictates for gaining nearness. Nearness is a work of the Cross. And when the Cross grabs a hold of a man, it humbles him, bends him, and breaks him that it might rebuild Him in the intimate chambers of almighty grace. This is a tender and precious message that is sure to move you. At the close of this message, a beautiful and spontaneous time of confession of sin broke forth and powerfully acquainted a brand new semester of students with the mighty and merciful work of God's gentle conviction.

A lot has been said in recent years about the importance of regaining a Biblical worldview in our society. But this message makes a powerful case for the even greater importance of regaining a "Gospel" worldview at the center of modern Christianity. As election day approaches, this is a great reminder of the preeminence of Jesus Christ in all matters—even matters of nations, laws, and earthly governments.

What would lead a man to gladly leave riches, position, fame, worldly power, and earthly comforts behind? What would cause a man to gladly embrace the disdain, mockery, and revilement of the world for the pleasure of his King? What could possibly motivate a man to gladly suffer, endure hardship, dangers, tortures, and extreme privations for the expansion of his Ruler’s fame and renown? This message supplies 66 amazing reasons why men go to such great lengths for their beloved King Jesus.

This is a message about raising ordinary boys into extraordinary men. It thunders forth a vision more grand than most modern minds have ever considered. It does not shy away from pressing a thumb to the chest of those most responsible to see this impossible "boy building" operation carried out... the fathers. Oh, for a world whereupon William Wallaces roam again!

A cult is a subject that most of us simply don't want to face, but face it we must. For if the saints lose their watchfulness and discernment, the enemy moves into the Church with speed and precision. This particular message is possibly one of the most important messages Eric Ludy has ever given at Ellerslie. It took guts to give it and it will take guts to listen to it. May it be proven true that this message becomes a thorn in the side of every spiritual manipulator in the world.

When we are harmed by others, it is our natural instinct to harm in return. It is not normal human behavior to leap for joy when falsely accused, to turn the other cheek when struck, to carry an unjust load an extra mile, or to be gentle when treated harshly. But the great secret of strength in the kingdom of Heaven is found in this "opposite" behavior. When the Christian gives gentleness and mercy in response to rude, fleshly taunts and scorn, the kingdom advances and the person of Jesus Christ is made evident in this earth.

This is a must-see! Simultaneously hilarious and deeply impacting, this message enunciates the ancient Gospel in a fresh new metaphor, conveying both its amazing goodness and wonderful power to save us from both the penalty and the power of sin.

When the apostle Paul and his traveling companion, Silas, were thrown into a dark prison cell, they did something very strange: they sang songs of praise. When Jesus was upon the Cross—beaten, abused, bleeding, mocked, reviled—He did a strange thing: He loved, He forgave, and He died for His murderers. The world does not know what to do with such behavior. When a man is squeezed, most commonly it is pride, anger, frustration, bitterness, and self-defensiveness that comes streaming out of him. But not the Christian man. Out of the Christian man streams life—the life of Jesus Christ.

The title of this message says it all. If you are needing grace for dealing with people, then this message is built just for you. Jesus Christ, through His Cross work, has supplied everything we need for excellence in our relationships with family members, friends, co-workers, and even those who treat us like dirt beneath their fingernail. So, instead of complaining that people are too difficult and too frustrating to love, let's go to Jesus and get the almighty grace we need to succeed.