We take a look at the number 1 Contemporary Christian song, Give me Joy

Listen-in to the 8/10/26 Monday This Day in Prayer and in The Word podcast, "Fear Not," and let's see what God's Word has to say.

The sermon emphasizes that true worship occurs in the spirit and truth rather than through external rituals or physical symbols like circumcision. It distinguishes between the carnal class relying on externals and the spiritual class who rely on the internal work of the Holy Spirit for salvation. The preacher argues that genuine faith requires no confidence in the flesh, including religious ceremonies or lineage, but solely in the blood of Christ. Evil workers are condemned for adding works to the gospel of grace, which undermines the sufficiency of Christ's finished work. Believers are called to rejoice in the Lord, maintaining their joy by rejecting false doctrines and remaining grounded in the pure gospel.

The sermon examines Jonah's prayer from the belly of the fish to highlight the absolute necessity of divine mercy for salvation. It emphasizes that human effort cannot atone for sin, pointing instead to Christ's perfect sacrifice as the sole basis for forgiveness. The preacher uses the Old Testament sacrificial system to illustrate the weight of transgression and the sufficiency of Jesus' death. Believers are encouraged to rely entirely on God's grace rather than their own righteousness or temporary remedies. This message serves as a reminder that salvation is exclusively an act of the Lord, received through faith in His covenant promises.

We are going to drill a little deeper into the third type of soil this morning. For many years I have been fascinated by Jesus' warning against pleasure and money. If ever there were unalloyed goods, pleasure and money are them. Right? Jesus clearly does not think so. And in saying that these things are thorns that choke the word of God and prevent it from growing to maturity in the heart of the Christian, He targets us and our American society. He warns us that worry, wealth, and pleasure are maturity-killers — but by the power of His Spirit, we can fight these things in His strength and see His word grow up to maturity in us.

The sermon explores the biblical mandate and joy of corporate worship, emphasizing that believers are commanded to praise God in spirit and truth. It highlights singing as a response to divine deliverance and the observation of sacraments as reminders of the New Covenant and union with Christ. The message encourages daily rejoicing through memorized hymns and joyful giving to support ministry and fellow believers. Ultimately, it calls the congregation to live as a kingdom of priests, continually showing forth God's glory in all aspects of life.