Because there are demonic deceivers who pervert a living faith in Christ with a dead man-centered asceticism, we must consciously embrace a life of God-glorifying gratitude that keeps our joy focused on Him. I. Be Warned: There Are Deceivers and There Are People Who Fall Away from Christ v 1 II. Beware: There are Human Deceivers Working Hard to Separate You from Faith in Christ vv 2-3 III. Be Grateful! A Shared Gladness in God Defends Us Against the Deadening Power of Unbelief vv 4-5

Belshazzar who was the son of Nabonidus the last legitimate king of Babylon who ruled for a very short time. His kingship is so short that historians consider it in the timing of his father reign. As one who inherited the control of Babylonian without earning his position, he abused his authority with excessive revelry and overindulgent, living. He did not seem to have any thankfulness or gratitude for the office he inherited. He simply abused the trust of government for which he obtained. The biblical text shares a story of his demise and the loss of the Babylonian Kingdom to the Medes and the Persians. Had he realized what his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar learned he could have prevented his demise as well as the loss of the kingdom. Nebuchadnezzar's dream which Daniel interpreted accurately for him gave the king the sequence of empires which our Lord Jesus called this the Times of The Gentiles (Luke 21:24).

Scripture treats complaining and ingratitude with immense gravity. But how do we teach a whiny six year old about the eternal ramifications of discontentment? The dads talk about modeling gratitude and joyfulness, rather than self-pity and criticism…some of the biggest causes of ingratitude and grumbling in a family…how to lovingly and consistently correct complaining…and the strategies that have helped them the most to create a thankful spirit in their homes.

Teaching on Deuteronomy 14:22-29

Joseph's encounter with his brothers provide a template description for the marks of a faithful member if a a God centered family....and the essential ingredients of church membership

Our enemies may seemingly outnumber us, but that doesn't mean the battle is lost. When the battle belongs to the Lord and our weapon is praise, we quickly find that our greatest battles are fought by praising the Lord and being still.

The sermon explores the story of David and Goliath to illustrate that true deliverance addresses not only external enemies but also internal spiritual struggles. It identifies three heart conditions—fear, cynicism, and division—that cause people to reject God's promises despite witnessing His power. The preacher argues that while humans often seek salvation through worldly idols or self-reliance, only Jesus Christ provides complete freedom from both external threats and the internal enemy of sin. By trusting in Christ's finished work rather than striving to earn it, believers find purpose in living freely for God with a heart of gratitude.

This sermon examines the healing of ten lepers in Luke 17 to distinguish between superficial faith and genuine conversion. The preacher contrasts the nine men who received physical healing but failed to return with gratitude against one Samaritan who worshipped Jesus out of profound thankfulness. The central argument asserts that true believers are characterized by a selfless desire to glorify God rather than merely seeking temporal benefits. The text highlights that common grace extends even to the ungrateful, while saving faith inevitably produces adoration and humility toward Christ. The message concludes with an exhortation for listeners to cultivate a heart of consistent worship and gratitude for God's mercies.

This sermon examines Jonah's prayer from the belly of the fish as a theological model for spiritual deliverance and salvation. The preacher outlines six key aspects of this testimony: recognizing one's desperate state in sin, crying out to God with simple faith, believing in His power to save, trusting that God hears and answers, resolving to serve Him after being rescued, and giving all glory to the Lord. By drawing parallels between Jonah's physical peril and the spiritual death of unbelievers, the message emphasizes that salvation is entirely a gift of grace, not earned by works. The preacher urges listeners, whether unsaved or backslidden believers, to sincerely ask for salvation and commit to a life of obedience and thanksgiving. View this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu8-5YTDUeU

The sermon emphasizes the Christian duty to remember, respond to, and report God's blessings by drawing parallels between the Jewish celebration of Purim in Esther 9 and personal spiritual experiences. It urges believers to actively recall past deliverances rather than focusing on failures, establishing annual commemorations for salvation as a means of gratitude. The message highlights that faith must be shared through testimony and tangible generosity toward others, ensuring that God's goodness continues to flow through the community. Ultimately, it calls the congregation to persistent celebration and storytelling, reinforcing that acknowledging divine intervention strengthens both individual faith and collective witness.