Hatred on SermonAudio

This sermon on Romans 9:22 explores God's sovereign telos—His purpose in fashioning vessels of wrath prepared for destruction—to display His wrath against sin, His power in judgment, and His great patience. Drawing on examples such as Pharaoh, the flood, and Sodom, the preacher shows how God endures the wicked for His glory while upholding both divine sovereignty and human responsibility, calling hearers to sober reflection and gospel urgency.

Elder Bill Boney's study class in the Book of Psalms

Jesus warned His disciples that following Him would not exempt them from suffering. They would face persecution, hatred, betrayal, deception, and increasing lawlessness. Yet in the midst of those sobering realities, Christ gave His people a promise: "The one who endures to the end will be saved." In Matthew 24:9–14, Jesus describes the opposition His followers will face while also pointing to the preserving grace of God that enables His people to remain faithful. Genuine faith does not rest on favorable circumstances but continues clinging to Christ even when the cost of discipleship grows. In this sermon, Pastor Todd Fletcher examines Christ's warning about persecution and apostasy, the danger of false prophets and growing lawlessness, the necessity of perseverance, and the worldwide proclamation of the gospel before the end comes. The Christian life is not a promise that hardship will never come. It is a promise that those who truly belong to Christ will be held to the end.

This sermon explores the transformative power of meditating on God's Word, using the metaphor of upgrading a home to illustrate how Scripture enhances the quality of a believer's life. The message is structured around four key aspects found in Psalm 119: the passion for God's law, the resulting perception and wisdom that surpasses enemies, educators, and ancient philosophers, the changed paths that separate the believer from evil, and the persuasion that God's Word is sweeter than honey. The speaker emphasizes that true wisdom comes not from studying the world or secular education, but from dwelling on divine commandments, which naturally leads to a hatred of false ways and a steadfast commitment to righteousness. Through a pastoral and encouraging tone, the sermon calls believers to prioritize spiritual maintenance over worldly distractions, asserting that the Bible is the single most valuable upgrade for the human soul.

This sermon explores the opening discourse of Malachi, addressing the post-exilic community's doubt regarding God's love amidst hardship and half-hearted worship. The speaker distinguishes between covenant love (hesed) and the unconditional, electing love demonstrated by God's choice of Jacob over Esau, emphasizing that this love is proactive and eternal rather than based on human merit. By examining God's hatred toward Edom for their wickedness and betrayal, the text illustrates the justice of the Lord of Hosts, who fights for His people and supersedes geographical borders. The message concludes by assuring believers that God's protective power and enduring affection provide a solid foundation for confidence, countering the lukewarmness and anxiety that characterize a half-hearted faith.

The sermon uses the biblical account of Esther chapter three to illustrate the ongoing spiritual battle between God's people and the forces of evil. It highlights Mordecai's courageous refusal to bow to Haman as a model for believers to stand firm in their faith amidst societal hostility and moral decay. The preacher emphasizes that hatred toward the Jews is fundamentally an attack on God Himself, urging the congregation to pray for Israel and for spiritual revival. By examining the corruption and pride of Haman, the message warns against compromising with worldly values and calls for divine intervention in these troubled times. Ultimately, it encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and remain faithful witnesses regardless of the consequences.

God calls you to exercise genuine love. I. GENUINE LOVE AND THE HATRED OF EVIL II. SERVING THE LORD AND THE SAINTS

Jesus warned His disciples ahead of time so they would not stumble, quit, or be stopped when persecution came. John 16 shows that the hatred they would face would not only come from the openly wicked world, but also from religious people who believed they were serving God while rejecting Christ and harming His followers. The word "offended" means more than having hurt feelings; it means being hindered, caused to stumble, or stopped in the way. Real faith must be grounded in the words of Jesus so it can endure when trouble, rejection, slander, misunderstanding, or persecution comes. True believers will continue in Christ because they belong to Him, abide in Him, and cannot be separated from Him, even when the world and false religion oppose them. Believers must know what Jesus said, expect tribulation, refuse to quit over hurt or opposition, and let their light shine faithfully in a world that hates the truth.

We are continuing the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, which began in Acts 13. As the gospel is preached, there is division. The division leads to persecution. But there are those who believe and continue in the faith, despite persecution. Paul established the churches with leadership so that they could continue in the faith and propagate the gospel further.