Heart on SermonAudio

Who shall guard the guardians? By showing us how to treat elders who rule well, are accused, and are in sin, God demonstrates that he will guard the guardians: 1. By His Word. 2. By His Spirit. 3. By His judgments. A. Hide the Word in your heart, and seek to do it "by the book" B. Pray for your Elders/Session/Presbytery/Denomination C. Trust that if the Church doesn't get it right, Christ will work it out in the end.

SUMMARY: where we're at in Romans & where we're going in this passage RELEVANCE: why does this matter to me? THEME: When you don't know what to pray, you're not alone: the Spirit comes alongside you, groans in you, and the Father hears what he finds there. v. 26a THE ASSISTANCE OF HIS GROAN v. 26b When you don't know what to pray, you're not praying alone. THE ADVOCACY OF HIS GROAN "The children of God have two divine intercessors. Christ is their intercessor in the court of heaven… The Holy Spirit is their intercessor in the theatre of their own hearts."—John Murray v. 27 The Spirit takes hold with you, and he groans in you. THE ACCEPTANCE OF HIS GROAN And the Father hears what he finds there.

Come before the Lord with joyful praise and grateful hearts because He is our Maker, our Shepherd, and the faithful God whose steadfast love endures from generation to generation. Thanksgiving is more than a feeling; it is our fitting response to who God is and all He has done. As we enter His presence with praise, we remember we belong to Him and discover again the blessing of resting in His goodness and faithfulness.

In Deuteronomy 6:1–15, Moses reminds Israel that they must obey God with total devotion, loving Him with all their heart, soul, and might. Dr. Michael Barrett preaches the imperative of total devotion, the logic of total devotion, and the performance of total devotion.

Daniel 1:1–13, 18–21 Daniel's experience in Babylon demonstrates the importance of establishing godly convictions before facing the pressure to compromise. Taken captive from Judah and placed in the service of a foreign king, Daniel encountered a culture that threatened to reshape his identity and allegiance. Yet Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. His decision illustrates that faithfulness begins with an inward commitment to obey God. When confronted with a difficult situation, Daniel responded with wisdom and respect while remaining steadfast in his convictions. The account continues with a test that demonstrated Daniel and his companions' faithfulness and God's favor upon them. When they appeared before the king, they were found superior in wisdom and understanding. This passage challenges believers to consider whether their professed faith governs their choices when obedience becomes difficult. Daniel's example reminds us that convictions should be established before the moment of testing arrives. Central Truth: A faith that governs our lives must be more than a profession; it must direct our decisions when circumstances pressure us to compromise. Practical Application: Determine in your heart to obey God before facing temptation. Stand firm in biblical convictions, exercise wisdom in your responses, and trust God with the outcome.

This sermon examines John 13:1, highlighting the pivotal moment when Jesus recognizes that his hour has arrived to depart from the world. The teaching draws a theological parallel between the Passover Lamb in Exodus and Christ's ultimate sacrifice, emphasizing that his death provides a greater deliverance from sin than the Exodus provided from slavery. The central theme focuses on the specific, electing love of Christ for his people, distinguishing it from general compassion by rooting it in the Father's predestinatory choice before the foundation of the world. The sermon assures believers that this love is eternal and unbreakable, securing them through tribulation and into eternity, as affirmed in Romans 8. The tone is instructional and comforting, inviting listeners to rest in the certainty of Christ's keeping power and his welcoming invitation to all who come to him.