Evangelism on SermonAudio

This Sunday evening Pastoral Assistant and Intern Steven Tavel preaches from Luke 8. Steven is currently a student at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Severn Run Evangelical Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), devoted to the pursuit of Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and worship as we seek to faithfully reach our community for Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 and Various Scriptures

Mark 1:12-20

The sermon establishes that genuine Christianity is evidenced by a spiritual family resemblance characterized by obedience to God. Drawing primarily from 1 John, the message argues that claiming faith without keeping commandments constitutes lying, as true believers align their lives with divine instruction. The preacher outlines three specific areas of obedience: adhering to the Word of God, actively pursuing the work of Christ in evangelism, and responding to the Holy Spirit's conviction rather than grieving or quenching Him. By contrasting Saul's partial obedience with total submission, the text emphasizes that listening to God is superior to religious ritual. The ultimate goal is for believers to examine their conduct to ensure it reflects the character of their Savior.

In this final class, we discuss challenges related to spiritual formation, the place our bodies have in our spiritual growth, and how we can use God's means of grace to get through the dry and difficult times.

The Holiest of All - Lesson 54 - The Dead Raised - Hebrews 11:35. "Such is the power of faith when it uses the weapon of all prayer: even the gates of the grave cannot prevail against it." – Spurgeon

In 2 Kings 6:1–7, we encounter a simple story about a lost axe head, yet this brief account reveals profound truths about the God who cares for His people. Through the ordinary circumstances surrounding the sons of the prophets, we see His providential hand ordering every detail. When a poor prophet loses a borrowed axe head, the sovereign God who rules nations shows that He is also attentive to the small, personal needs of His people. Ultimately, the God who cared for His servant at the Jordan is the same God who moved heaven and earth to save His people through Jesus Christ. If He has graciously given us His Son, we can trust Him with every concern, great or small.

This sermon examines Paul's address to the Athenian philosophers on Mars Hill, highlighting his strategic approach to sharing the gospel with a religious but pagan audience. The preacher emphasizes how Paul built bridges rather than walls by identifying a point of contact in their altar to an unknown God, thereby opening a dialogue for truth. Key theological themes include the nature of God as Creator, Sovereign Lord, Transcendent being, Self-sufficient source, and Life-giver, contrasting these truths with modern spiritualities and ancient polytheism. The message encourages believers to share the gospel with tact, love, and wisdom, adapting their communication to their audience's context without compromising biblical truth. Ultimately, the sermon calls Christians to gratitude for salvation and to actively engage in evangelism by respectfully presenting the true God to those who do not know Him.