Text: Matthew 19:4-6 Sermon explains Chapter 24 of the Westminster Confession of Faith on the subject of Marriage and Divorce.

A sermon on Colossians 3:1–11 continuing the Colossians series. Having shown in chapter two that Christ is the substance of which the law's shadows and men's rules were only types, Paul now sets forth the positive life of those risen with Christ: seek the things above, set your affection on Christ, for your life is hid with Christ in God. From there the message turns to mortifying the members that are upon the earth — and draws a crucial distinction between the world's self-discipline, which avoids sin merely because it harms, and true Christian mortification, which puts sin to death because it is contrary to Christ in us and to God's purpose of conforming us to His image (Romans 8:29). Walking through Paul's list — fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness which is idolatry — the sermon traces the inward "machinery of sin" down from outward acts to the idolatrous cravings of the heart, and insists the whole machine must go. Victory comes not by trying harder but by putting on the new man, renewed after the image of his Creator, where Christ is all and in all. It closes with tender encouragement to all who struggle: wherever you are in your sanctification, do not heed the accuser or lose hope — the answer is always Christ, and He is for you.

The central message of this sermon is a sobering warning against spiritual complacency, rooted in the historical examples of Israel's wilderness journey, where God's abundant blessings did not guarantee divine approval or perseverance. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 10:1–13, the preacher emphasizes that even with miraculous protection, provision, and divine presence, the majority of Israelites perished due to disobedience, lust, idolatry, fornication, temptation, and murmuring—each a spiritual danger still relevant to believers today. The passage underscores that true security is not found in external blessings or self-confidence, but in continual holiness and perseverance, as God's faithfulness ensures that no believer is tempted beyond their ability, and He always provides a way of escape. The tone is both pastoral and convicting, urging Christians to examine their hearts, reject the illusion of spiritual security, and remain vigilant in faith, knowing that profession of faith without genuine transformation is ultimately insufficient. Ultimately, the sermon affirms that God's grace is sufficient, but only for those who persevere in faith and obedience.

The second time it is announced that "Babylon is Fallen" - it is from the perspective of its accomplishment, which will bring the results that we find in Revelation 18:1-3.

The sermon presents a biblically grounded, uncompromising defense of marriage as a sacred, lifelong covenant ordained by God, rooted in Scripture such as 1 Corinthians 7 and Hebrews 13:4, emphasizing its permanence, mutual commitment, and spiritual significance. It distinguishes between God's design for marriage—marked by selfless love, fidelity, and shared responsibility—and the cultural distortions of modern marriage, including emotional desertion, infidelity, and the commodification of wedding ceremonies. The teaching affirms that divorce is permissible only in cases of adultery or abandonment, with the innocent party freed from the marriage bond, while also affirming the dignity and spiritual value of celibacy for those called to it, particularly in service to God. The sermon calls for pastors and Christian families to uphold biblical standards through intentional teaching, personal holiness, and the restoration of marital integrity, warning against worldly influences that undermine marriage and urging believers to reject negative influences and prioritize God's eternal design over human convenience.

The sermon centers on the profound truth that while all things may be lawful, not all are beneficial, especially when they compromise the sanctity of the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 6:12–20, it confronts the dangerous error of equating moral freedom with license, particularly in the realm of sexual immorality, emphasizing that the body is not meant for fornication but for the Lord, and that believers are not their own, having been bought with a price. The preacher underscores the spiritual and eternal consequences of sexual sin, contrasting it with other indulgences by highlighting its unique destructive power, which defiles the soul and severs the believer's intimate union with Christ. With a tone that is both urgent and pastoral, the message calls Christians to flee sexual immorality, uphold biblical standards, and seek godly counsel rather than self-justification, reminding the audience that true freedom in Christ is found in obedience, not in indulgence, and that the believer's life must glorify God in both body and spirit.

Two very important things; 1. Church court before civil court -- verses 1-8 2. From sinner to saint -- verses 9-11

We are to FLEE youthful lusts and FOLLOW righteousness, faith, charity and peace. There is positive AND negative, and what we have referred to as "The Doctrine of Replacement" (which has nothing to do with Israel or the doctrine of the church, btw.). Also Reference: 1 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Romans 10:17, Hebrews 11:1, Mark 12:30-31, 1 Corinthians 143:4-8a, MUSIC: "In My Life (Be Glorified)"/"Give Thanks" Praise # 8 (A) "The Gospel Brings Unity" Praise # 21 (D) "Thy Word Is A Lamp Unto My Feet" Praise # 23 (C) "Isaiah Medley" https://bbfohio.com

The sermon centers on the urgent call for the church to purify itself from moral corruption, using 1 Corinthians 5 as a foundation to emphasize that tolerating sin—especially sexual immorality, greed, and idolatry—undermines the integrity of the body of Christ. Drawing on the metaphor of leaven, the preacher argues that even a small amount of unchecked sin spreads throughout the church, corrupting its spiritual health, and calls for decisive action to remove such influences, not out of harshness but out of love and fidelity to Christ, the sinless Passover Lamb. The message underscores the necessity of maintaining holiness through sincerity and truth, rejecting the notion that grace permits continued fellowship with unrepentant sinners, while also reflecting on the deep, lasting damage of sexual sin and the church's failure to uphold biblical standards in modern times. Though controversial, the preacher defends a strict interpretation of Paul's command to disfellowship unrepentant believers, warning that failure to do so leads to spiritual decay and a compromised witness. Ultimately, the tone is both pastoral and urgent, rooted in a deep conviction that the church must remain a holy, uncorrupted community reflecting the purity of Christ.