fear on SermonAudio

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. 3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God." 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." 9 Peter said to her, "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

The sermon explores the Christian hope of an eternal, heavenly dwelling that replaces the temporary and decaying earthly body. Drawing on 2 Corinthians 5, it emphasizes that believers possess a guaranteed down payment through the Holy Spirit, allowing them to face death with courage rather than fear. The message encourages living by faith rather than sight, aiming always to please Christ at His judgment seat where works are evaluated for reward. It contrasts the security of those covered by Christ's righteousness with the terror of standing naked before God without Him. Ultimately, the text calls listeners to find steady hope in the resurrection and purposeful ambition in daily obedience.

The sermon explores Psalm 27 as a reflection of the Christian life, moving between confident trust in God's protection and desperate pleas for deliverance during times of distress. It emphasizes that believers must anchor their confidence in the Lord as their light, salvation, and stronghold rather than in themselves or worldly circumstances. The preacher highlights the necessity of patience, urging the congregation to wait on the Lord actively through sanctification and spiritual growth amidst life's difficulties. By examining David's journey from fear to faith, the message encourages listeners to seek God's presence above all else and to remain steadfast in their faith despite external opposition. Ultimately, it calls for a deep reliance on God's promises, assuring believers that He remains faithful even when His timing seems slow.

Why do Christians observe the Lord's Supper? In this message from 1 Corinthians 11:23–26, Pastor Robb Brunansky continues a four-part study on the meaning of communion by examining the first two reasons Christ gave His church this ordinance. Rather than treating the Lord's Table as an empty ritual or avoiding it out of fear, believers are called to obey Christ's command and remember His sacrificial death with reverence, gratitude, and faith. Drawing connections from the Passover to the Last Supper, this sermon highlights how communion engages both the mind and the heart, helping God's people continually proclaim the gospel through worship. The message concludes by reflecting on Christ's betrayal—revealing both the depth of humanity's sin and the immeasurable love of God, who sovereignly delivered His Son for our salvation.

Pastor Mark Hogan taught from Matthew 28:1-15 on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that the empty tomb confirms Jesus' trustworthiness and divine identity. He examined three pieces of evidence: the witnesses (a group of women who saw the empty tomb and heard the angel's announcement "He is not here, for He is risen, as He said"), the wonders (the great earthquake and angel rolling back the stone, causing the guards to shake with fear), and the worship (the women holding Jesus' feet and worshiping Him after He greeted them with "Rejoice"). He also addressed the wicked deception of the Jewish leaders who bribed the guards to lie that the disciples stole the body. The practical application is to rejoice in the risen Christ, worship Him as King, and trust His promises because He is alive. Hogan urged believers to remember that Jesus calls us His own even when we fail, and to live in service to the risen King, knowing that the resurrection certifies our justification and gives us a living hope.

This sermon examines Leviticus 20 to explore the relationship between God's moral law, justice, and love. The preacher explains that while the text details severe punishments for transgressions against family and religious covenant, these laws ultimately reveal the seriousness of sin rather than promoting a theology of fear. The central message emphasizes that obedience should stem from love for God, who sanctifies His people, rather than merely avoiding retribution. By contrasting the wages of sin with the free gift of eternal life in Christ, the sermon highlights Jesus as the only means of escape from divine wrath. The conclusion calls listeners to flee to the cross for forgiveness and to live lives of holiness grounded in faith.

The sermon explores the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler to illustrate that salvation requires complete trust in Christ rather than reliance on material wealth or personal merit. It emphasizes God's unconditional love, citing Romans 8 and John 3:16 to reassure listeners that nothing can separate them from divine affection. The preacher contrasts human self-centeredness with Jesus' sacrificial ministry, urging the audience to recognize their need for a personal relationship with God. By referencing Peter's restoration in John 21, the message highlights that believers have the choice to respond to God's love by living for Him. Ultimately, the central call is to choose Jesus and place total faith in Him for eternal life.

This sermon explores the book of Job to illustrate how believers can triumph in their own trials by focusing on God's sovereign purpose rather than just the pain itself. It highlights Job's character as a man who feared God and eschewed evil, demonstrating that true faith endures even when prosperity is lost. The preacher emphasizes three key responses to suffering: worshiping God regardless of circumstances, witnessing to the reality of Jesus as mediator, and waiting on God with patience. Through the metaphor of refining gold, the message explains that trials are designed to purify the believer's character until God's reflection is seen. Ultimately, true victory comes when one continues to walk with God and prays for those who cause suffering, mirroring Christ's forgiveness.