Hope on SermonAudio

During this period, Spurgeon is locked in combat, contending for the honour and glory of Christ. This sermon is situated both in the overall battle he is fighting, but also in the context of a pastoral ministry in which he is conscious of the need to feed and encourage the flock of Christ. So, having previously preached on the Lamb in glory (the previous sermon in this volume, number 2095, if you want to read it for yourself) he now wants to emphasise that this Lamb is the Bridegroom of the church, and that all our hope and happiness centres in him not only in this life but also in the life which is to come. He therefore steps through the prospect that lies before us, noting from Revelation 19 some of the events which precede the moment of marriage. He turns our attention to the marriage itself, asking how it has been brought about and what it involves. He fixes our eye upon the Bridegroom of our hearts, Jesus Christ, in his character as the Lamb of God, pushing us to recognise that this is essential to the union. Finally, he allows us to see the wife of the Lamb as she approaches her Beloved, prepared by him, for him, clothed in the white linen of her righteousnesses. It is a beautiful picture, and one which the preacher would have us ponder, not only to stir up love and faith and hope, but also to ensure that we will, through trust in the Lamb, participate in that glorious consummation.

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." King James Version

The message centers on the sufficiency of Jesus' grace in the face of overwhelming loss, loneliness, and despair. It addresses individuals who feel unloved, hopeless, or trapped by their own walls, asserting that no darkness, sorrow, or distance is greater than the power of divine grace. The tone is deeply comforting and pastoral, offering a direct counter-narrative to feelings of isolation and defeat. By emphasizing that one is not alone and that hope should not be abandoned, the text presents grace as the ultimate remedy for heartbreak and the assurance that Jesus can carry believers through their darkest moments.

The speaker shares a personal story of returning to the Indianapolis Colts to illustrate the profound value of teamwork and mutual support. This narrative serves as a foundation for encouraging the audience to become active teammates in the mission of Lifeline Ministries, an organization dedicated to bringing hope and Christ to those in need. The core message emphasizes that giving courage means having someone's back, particularly for individuals who feel abandoned or hopeless. By leveraging time, talent, and treasure, the community is invited to participate in a collective effort that transforms lives and facilitates positive change. The tone is pastoral and encouraging, urging listeners to view their support not merely as charity but as a vital partnership in spreading hope.

Listen-in to today's This Day In The Word radio teaching broadcast, "Obedience to What?" and let's see what God's Word has to say.

In this multi-part series, we journey through Volume II of Jonathan Edwards's Works to explore how one of history's keenest theological minds wielded both the thunder of divine judgment and the blinding beauty of sovereign grace. From the terrifying, Old Testament-anchored metaphors of Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God and Sinners in Zion Tenderly Warned, to the surgical dissection of the self-deceived heart in Hypocrites Deficient in Prayer, Edwards deployed the stark reality of hell not to terrorize for terror's sake, but as a diagnostic hammer to shatter carnal security, strip away false hopes, and drive awakened souls into the means of grace. Yet, as we trace his deep psychological insights through the lens of human inability, duty, and the urgency of seeking, we discover that this dark backdrop of divine justice was intentionally crafted to illuminate its true counterweight: the breathtaking "conjunction of diverse excellencies" in Jesus Christ, whose infinite majesty, tender meekness, and irresistible sweetness offer the only true refuge for a desperate world.

Please pray for the Stockton Open Air, Thursdays at 11:30 am. This sermon centres on the birth of Jesus Christ as recorded in Matthew 1, emphasising that His incarnation as Emmanuel, or God with us, was specifically to save His people from their sins. The message presents a stark choice between acknowledging Jesus as Lord or rejecting Him, arguing that human works are insufficient for salvation and that only grace through faith in Christ's atoning death can remove the penalty and power of sin. It highlights the infinite worth of Jesus, who bore the wrath of God on behalf of sinners, contrasting the hope of eternal life with the certainty of judgment for those who reject Him. The tone is urgent and pastoral, calling listeners to examine their spiritual state and trust in the finished work of Christ to be adopted into God's royal family.

This Presentation explores the life and ministry of John and Charles Wesley, highlighting their pivotal role in the 18th-century evangelical awakening in England. It details their journey from the Holy Club at Oxford to their transformative open-air preaching, emphasizing their theological commitment to justification by faith and entire sanctification. The narrative contrasts the spiritual and social decay of the era with the profound impact of their ministry, which brought hope, discipline, and moral reform to the urban poor. The presentation also examines the Wesleys' organizational innovations, such as the circuit system and lay preaching, which laid the foundation for modern Methodism. Ultimately, it portrays the brothers as agents of divine grace who reshaped British society and left a lasting legacy of holiness and evangelism.

Thursday Bible study, our weekly dive into biblical excellence. We hope you enjoy this study! For any questions concerning doctrine, please email: [email protected] or use our SermonAudio's AI question-and-answer feature: https://thesuperiorword.asksermons.com/

Sound doctrine is for every Christian. Dave Jenkins explains how biblical truth shapes godly living, strengthens discernment, deepens worship, and helps believers stand firm in the hope of God's promises. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/