Heart on SermonAudio

The sermon explores the biblical command to give one's heart to God by examining various negative heart conditions and their corresponding spiritual remedies. It identifies deceit, despising, dying, delaying, double, and despairing hearts as obstacles to a godly life, offering specific scriptural countermeasures such as diligence, devotion, generosity, immediate obedience, singleness of mind, and dependence on God. The teaching emphasizes the urgency of acting on God's will without procrastination and the danger of dividing one's loyalty between worldly pursuits and divine service. Additionally, it addresses the pastoral responsibility of parents to avoid provoking bitterness in their children and encourages believers to trust in God's past, present, and future faithfulness rather than relying on self-sufficiency. The overall tone is instructive and convicting, urging listeners to align their inner dispositions with God's statutes.

"Those who have tried to reach Mohammedans with the gospel message and who are in the midst of the work, do not call for retreat, but for reinforcements and advance. They know that in this mighty conflict we have nothing to fear save our own sloth and inactivity." Samuel Zwemer's words echo Paul's own declaration in 2 Corinthians 4:1-6, "having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart." Whether by rejection or affliction, the mission has countless reasons for discouragement. And discouragement can lead to compromise. But we advance, determined to change neither message nor method.

What does gospel-centered love actually look like? In Ephesians 5:1–2, Paul calls believers to imitate the love of Christ—a love first received from God and then lived out through willing, total, Godward sacrifice. Rather than defining love by convenience, emotion, or self-interest, this message traces five qualities of gospel-centered love: it is received before it can be imitated, willingly surrendered, totally surrendered, directed toward God, and reflective of the Father's heart. Because believers have already received the love of Christ, the gospel should shape the way we serve, sacrifice, forgive, and love both fellow believers and the lost.

I begin my advice to you on this subject, by suggesting a caution against forming this connection prematurely. There is scarcely anything that indicates a greater lack of discretion, than for a young girl, at a time when she ought to be giving her thoughts to her books, and thus laying the foundation for respectability and usefulness, to be giving her heart to some admirer, and entering into an arrangement for speedily giving him her hand. The consequence of this is, that she is only imperfectly educated, and frequently, is subjected through life, by her deficiencies — to serious inconvenience and chagrin. She enters the marital state miserably qualified to sustain its responsibilities; and not improbably acquires a cast of character in that relation, which, unfortunately, is too enduring, and which is alike unfavorable to her own enjoyment, and that of those with whom she is immediately connected.

This sermon examines the death of Sarah and Abraham's subsequent mourning as the first recorded instance of grief in Scripture, challenging the notion that weeping indicates weak faith. By analyzing Abraham's insistence on purchasing the cave of Machpelah rather than accepting it as a gift, the message highlights the believer's identity as a stranger and sojourner who refuses to be beholden to the world. The text connects this act of faith to the broader theological theme of looking for a heavenly city whose builder is God, rather than settling for the temporary comforts of this life. The preacher urges the congregation to examine their own hearts, ensuring that their lives testify to a pilgrim's hope in the resurrection and a bold, unsettled commitment to evangelism, rather than a settled complacency in earthly pursuits.

Today, we dive into Hebrews 4:12, reflecting on the power of God's Word as a living and active force that discerns the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. We connect this truth to the Protestant Reformation, emphasizing how the Scriptures serve as the ultimate authority that transforms lives. Join Pastor Steve as we study God's Word.