Forgiveness on SermonAudio

This sermon examines the healing of a leper and a paralytic in Luke 5 to demonstrate the power, willingness, and divine authority of Jesus Christ. The central message asserts that while physical ailments are significant, the ultimate human struggle is sin, which only Christ has the authority to forgive. By contrasting the immediate physical healings with the declaration of forgiveness, the text highlights that these miracles serve as signs pointing to the greater spiritual reality of redemption. The preacher emphasizes the Reformed principle of Solus Christus, urging listeners to receive the assurance of forgiveness by faith rather than relying on their own efforts or legalistic observance. The tone is pastoral and convicting, inviting the congregation to trust in Christ's sufficiency for both their physical needs and their spiritual cleansing.

This sermon examines the profound gap between human reasoning and divine truth, urging listeners to align their minds with God's perspective. It challenges common misconceptions about God's nature, arguing that He is neither indifferent nor merely indulgent, but a holy and personal God who demands repentance. The message contrasts human self-righteousness with the biblical reality of total depravity, emphasizing that salvation is a free gift received through faith in Christ rather than earned by works. By illustrating the futility of living apart from God, the preacher highlights that true happiness is found in close relationship with the Lord. The central call is to abandon sinful thoughts and return to God, who abundantly pardons those who trust in the atoning work of Jesus.

Who are you in Christ, and where does your true identity come from? This week, Pastor Steve continues our The Gospel Shaped Church series with a message from Galatians 2 titled, "Finding Our True Identity." Paul reminds us that we can never earn righteousness through our own efforts or religious accomplishments. We are made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice accomplished what we could never do for ourselves. And as we place our faith in Him, our old lives are crucified with Christ so that we can live by faith in the One who loves us and gave Himself for us. Join us as we discover what it means to find our identity in Christ, rest in the grace of God, and allow Him to transform us from the inside out.

Welcome to today's episode, dedicated to every father who carries the heavy burden of looking back on his parenting with regret or feeling crushed by his own daily shortcomings. Throughout our discussion, we turned to the rich pastoral wisdom of 19th-century pastors like C. H. Spurgeon, J. C. Ryle, R. L. Dabney, and J. G. Pike, who remind us that God's covenant of grace was never made with flawless, angel-like parents, but with weak, redeemed sinners who lean entirely on Christ. We explored how no father is a total failure when he turns his regret into earnest prayer, knowing that God is not limited by our flawed efforts or broken threads, nor is His clock bound by our timeline. Whether through establishing a simple, 10-minute family altar, modeling genuine repentance by asking your children for forgiveness, or persistently pleading God's covenant promises for a wayward child, true fatherhood is not about perfection—it is about daily resting in God's endless mercy and trusting that His grace is always greater than our stumblings.

When you trust in the Lord, He will use life's challenges to prepare you and use you for His glory.

In Psalm 25, David lifted up his soul unto the LORD for help that he might be delivered from danger and affliction while trusting in and waiting upon God but with integrity and righteousness (seeking forgiveness and obedience) so that he—and God—would not be ashamed. In Psalm 26, David tells us that what he asked of God in Psalm 25 is exactly what his Lord has done! God has taught and led him to walk in integrity according to God's ways and by His covenant love. He was enabled to live in way that would glorify and honor his God before those who hate God. And he now stands (and expects to continue) firm in God's righteousness and righteous ways, because there he "shall not slip" (v1) for his "foot stands in an even place" (v12). As a result, Psalm 26 is a picture of a life lived to the glory of God as a witness for God. And such a life is the best way to live. I. Plea of Righteousness (vv1-2) ---A. Clean Conscience ---B. Head and Heart II. Path of Righteousness (vv3-8) ---A. Truth and Love (v3) ---B. Separation from Sinners (vv4-5) ---C. Personal Purity (v6) ---D. Praise of God (v7) ---E. People and Presence of God (v8) III. Promise of Righteousness (vv9-12) ---A. Assembly of the Wicked (vv9-10) ---B. Great Assembly of the Redeemed (vv11-12)

Has modern Christianity created a version of God who never gets angry with His own children? In an age when biblical masculinity, fatherly authority, and accountability are increasingly under attack, even our understanding of God's character has been distorted. Modern psychology and feminism have helped undermine the biblical role of fathers, while popular religious teaching often portrays God as a Father who is never angry with His children, regardless of their disobedience. But what does the Bible actually teach? Scripture commands, "Be ye angry, and sin not" (Ephesians 4:26). There is sinful anger, but there is also righteous anger. This message examines how much of today's parenting substitutes repeated threats, frustration, yelling, and uncontrolled anger for consistent biblical discipline. God's pattern of the rod and reproof, administered calmly and lovingly, teaches children to obey without endless arguments and threats, bringing peace and rest to the home. Yet there are also times when anger itself is justified, provided it remains governed by righteousness. And what about our heavenly Father? The Scriptures repeatedly reveal that God became angry with His own people. Paul specifically tells New Testament believers that these Old Testament accounts were written as warnings for US! From Israel's rebellion in the wilderness to the solemn warnings of Hebrews, Corinthians, and the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Bible presents a sobering truth: God's love does not mean He is indifferent to the sins of His children. But the message does not end with God's anger. There is a wonderful difference between God's temporary displeasure and His everlasting covenant love!

Are the miraculous gifts of healing and miracles still active in the church today? How can Christians distinguish genuine works of God from the claims of modern faith healers? In this sermon from 1 Corinthians 12:9–10, 28–30, Pastor Robb Brunansky examines the biblical evidence for miraculous healings and spiritual gifts by exploring the ministry of Jesus Christ, the works of the apostles in Acts, and the teaching of the New Testament letters. Through a careful study of Scripture, Pastor Robb identifies six defining characteristics of biblical miracles and healings: they were immediate, occurred both publicly and privately, involved individuals and groups, fulfilled Scripture, were unique in their power, and were certain in their results. This message challenges contemporary claims of miraculous healing, explains the unique role of signs and wonders in authenticating Jesus Christ and His apostles, and demonstrates why the miraculous gifts served a particular purpose in the establishment of the early church. Ultimately, the greatest miracle is not physical healing but the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The miracles of Scripture point us to the Savior who alone has the authority to forgive sins and reconcile sinners to God.

Paul visits the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. There he is asked to exhort the attendees. Paul discusses God's plan to bring forgiveness and justification. We also answer the question "Why does God allow evil."