Heart on SermonAudio

This sermon explores the concept of 'topos,' or giving legal ground to the enemy, as a primary cause of spiritual defeat and demonic influence in the lives of believers. It emphasizes that Satan operates through deception and accusation, exploiting unresolved issues such as occult involvement and unhealed bitterness. The message outlines a biblical framework for freedom, beginning with a firm commitment to Christ and the renunciation of any past involvement in the occult. Central to the teaching is the necessity of genuine repentance and the three-step process of dealing with bitterness: releasing offenders to God, forgiving from the heart, and accepting ongoing consequences. The preacher argues that failing to address these internal wounds allows Satan to maintain control, whereas standing in the finished work of Christ and extending grace leads to true spiritual victory.

BJU equips students to impact the world as they live for truth, seize opportunities and embrace life experiences. Standing on the authority of the Bible, BJU shapes heads, hearts and backbones for Christ by equipping students to lead lives of integrity and influence others for God's glory. www.bju.edu 108

Is the Christian experience one of rejoicing, love, hope, and assurance of faith? Is that life marked by delight in God's commands and promises? While God has promised great joy and hope to believers, Christians often follow the way of the Israelites when they doubt, complain, and live in a constant state of uncertainty. In this sermon on Psalm 78:41 titled "Limiting God," Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches that when the Christian follows this way, they limit God's power, grace, and glory rather than showcasing His excellencies to the world. Complaining and heavy hearts declare to the world that the way of God is cumbersome and sorrowful. It says the commands of God are difficult and God is not concerned with the Christian's joy. Follow along with Dr. Lloyd-Jones as he provides the "tests" of assurance, joy, delight, and peace to evaluate hearts in light of the life-giving promises of the Holy God. Listen and be reminded that God provides great joy that cannot be shaken to the believer who earnestly seeks the presence of the Triune God as their source of delight and life. Take comfort in knowing that an assurance of salvation is given as a means of joy and comfort for the believer and be challenged by Dr. Lloyd-Jones's reminder that the believer who does not hold fast to these promises is limiting the Holy One of Israel.

This sermon examines Paul's argument in Romans 2:25-29 that external religious rituals, such as physical circumcision, hold no value without corresponding obedience to God's law. The teaching emphasizes that God views true identity not through ethnic heritage or outward signs, but through an inward transformation of the heart by the Holy Spirit. By contrasting the faith of Gentiles with the hypocrisy of religious insiders, the message asserts that genuine righteousness comes from faith in Christ rather than adherence to the letter of the law. The sermon concludes that salvation is a gift of grace received through faith, making believers the true circumcision who worship in the spirit and glory in Jesus Christ.

Welcome back to the podcast as we continue our systematic journey through William Goold's classic edition of The Collected Works of John Owen. In today's episode, we explore the deep pastoral landscape of Volume 7, charting Owen's clinical diagnosis of spiritual backsliding and his gospel remedy for a languishing soul. We begin in 1676 with The Nature and Causes of Apostasy from the Gospel, examining Owen's surgical breakdown of Hebrews 6 and his diagnostic checklist in Chapter 6 for identifying secret heart-declension and spiritual sloth. From there, we open his 1681 work, The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded, pausing in Chapter 9 to confront Owen's searching concern that true spiritual mindedness has become tragically rare in the church—a warning we compare directly with the psychological severity of Jonathan Edwards's Religious Affections and Alexander Allen's famous commentary on it. Finally, we conclude with Owen's posthumous 1688 treatise, Of the Dominion of Sin and Grace, walking through Chapters 3 and 4 to distinguish between the persistent presence of indwelling corruption and the reigning dominion of sin, anchoring our ultimate assurance in the covenantal promise that under grace, sin shall not have the final say.

This sermon addresses parents and grandparents, urging them to prioritize the spiritual formation of their children and grandchildren by capturing their hearts through authentic faith and consistent testimony. Drawing primarily from Proverbs 23:26, the message argues that revival begins in the home rather than the church, challenging believers to move beyond mere religious instruction to a life of genuine devotion that children can observe and emulate. The speaker outlines three principles: establishing a foundation of real, non-hypocritical faith; elevating children to a higher standard rather than lowering oneself to their level; and illuminating their path by sharing compelling stories of God's faithfulness and supernatural intervention. Through personal anecdotes and biblical examples, the preacher emphasizes that children are influenced more by what they see and hear in their family's daily life than by formal teaching, urging families to actively engage in discipleship and share the victories of their spiritual journey.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) ~~~~~ This sermon was preached from England into the Australian Churches. ~~~~~ **How we are healed:** *1/ By Christ enduring the wrath of God and redeeming us - redemption. 2/ By Christ giving us faith to trust alone in what he has done - Justification. 3/ By Christ through the Spirit coming to us and driving out the buyers and sellers from the temple of our bodies - Sanctification.* **Sermon Summary:** The sermon expounds on Isaiah 53:5, arguing that the physical scourging of Christ was a necessary component of the atonement, serving as a vivid picture of the divine wrath He endured on behalf of His people. It emphasizes the particular nature of redemption, asserting that because Christ bore the full penalty of sin, those for whom He died are freed from condemnation and the power of sin. The message progresses from the objective work of redemption to the subjective experience of justification through faith, highlighting the necessity of a personal conviction of sin. Finally, it addresses sanctification as the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, who cleanses the believer's heart like Christ cleansing the temple, using afflictions and grace to drive out sin and foster a close walk with God.

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:37-38) ~~~~ This sermon was preached at Jireh Chapel Tenterden Harvest Thanksgiving service. ~~~~ *1/ The identity of the Lord of the harvest. 2/ What the Lord of the harvest controls. 3/ The means that the Lord of the harvest uses.* **Sermon summary:** This sermon explores the identity, control, and means of the Lord of the Harvest as presented in Matthew 9:37-38. It emphasizes that God is the sovereign master builder who governs every aspect of the spiritual harvest, from the eternal election of souls to the specific timing of their conversion. The preacher illustrates how God controls the preparation of hearts, the drawing of sinners, and the quickening of faith, ensuring that salvation is entirely His work rather than a human effort. Furthermore, the message highlights that God chooses to use weak means, such as the prayers of His people and the preaching of labourers empowered by the Holy Spirit, to accomplish His purposes. The sermon concludes with an encouragement to trust in God's perfect timing and authority, recognizing that He is actively gathering His people from all nations for His glory.

BJU equips students to impact the world as they live for truth, seize opportunities and embrace life experiences. Standing on the authority of the Bible, BJU shapes heads, hearts and backbones for Christ by equipping students to lead lives of integrity and influence others for God's glory. www.bju.edu 124

Bear With Me! In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul opened his heart to the church at Corinth, reminding them of his sincere love for them despite the hardships, criticism, and false teachers he faced. His desire was not to elevate himself, but to protect the church and help believers remain faithful to Christ and the simplicity of the Gospel. This message reminds us that the church is made up of real people with real problems. We will have disagreements and face frustrations, but what unites us is far greater than what divides us: the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth of God's Word. We must be careful not to make decisions out of frustration, watch for those who subtly distort biblical truth, and remember that genuine Christian love sometimes means standing firmly for what is right.