Light on SermonAudio

A brief bit of encouragement for the journey from God's Word. Today's Scripture reading: Philippians 4 To support this devotional ministry: https://faithbaptiststerling.com/give/ Music: "Awaken the Dawn" by Stanton Lanierhttps://www.stantonlanier.com CCLI #20109360

Sent by God, Gathered by Grace The central truth of this message is that salvation and the mission both begin with the grace of God, are sustained by goodness of God, and will be fulfilled for the glory God. John 1 introduces John the Baptist as "a man sent from God." He was not the Light; he was sent to bear witness to the Light so that others might believe. That same pattern continues throughout redemption: the Father sends the Son, God sends His message, the Son sends His messengers, the Spirit opens hearts, and the Shepherd gathers His people (Acts 26:23; Luke 24) Jesus does not call us to lead Him through our lives; He calls us to "Follow Me." He is the Shepherd and we are the sheep. Genuine discipleship means allowing Jesus to continually redirect our thinking, desires, priorities, and steps. Eternal life gives us eternal light, enabling us to increasingly see life from God's perspective rather than the world's. John also explains why the world did not recognize Jesus and why it will sometimes fail to understand those who belong to Him. Spiritual truth requires spiritual revelation. First Corinthians 2 teaches that the rulers would not have crucified the Lord of glory had they truly known Him. Deuteronomy 30:6 shows that God must do something within the human heart—circumcise it—so that we can love Him and live. Salvation, therefore, is not merely improved behavior or inherited religion; it is new life produced by God. This makes John 1:12–13 especially important. Those who receive Christ and believe in His name become children of God, yet their new birth is "not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." We truly repent, believ

A brief bit of encouragement for the journey from God's Word. Today's Scripture reading: Philippians 3 To support this devotional ministry: https://faithbaptiststerling.com/give/ Music: "Awaken the Dawn" by Stanton Lanierhttps://www.stantonlanier.com CCLI #20109360

Study of the book of Daniel

~~~~~~~ No 26 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~~~ **Considering 2 Peter 1:12-15** Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always **in remembrance** of these things, ......... to stir you up by putting you **in remembrance;** ........ Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always **in remembrance.** *1/ A reminder of God's use of aids to remembrance in his Word, the Bible. 2/ "These things" Peter wants us to have **always** in remembrance, and what is not stopping him from reminding us. 3/ The blessing of rememberance.* **Sermon summary:** The sermon explores the critical spiritual discipline of remembering God's truths, drawing primarily from 2 Peter 1:12-15 where the Apostle Peter urges believers to constantly recall essential doctrines. The preacher highlights various biblical aids for remembrance, such as the rainbow, the Passover, and the Lord's Supper, which serve as tangible reminders of God's covenants and redemptive work. Emphasizing that even established Christians are prone to forgetfulness, the message argues that repeated exposure to Scripture is necessary to maintain faith and prevent spiritual complacency. The Holy Spirit acts as the ultimate Remembrancer, bringing past blessings and scriptural truths to light at divinely appointed times for encouragement and correction. Ultimately, the sermon calls the congregation to actively engage with God's Word so as to have the assurance of their calling and therefore election until Christ's return.

Just Do What He Says The Light — That Gives Life John 1–2 John begins his Gospel by introducing Jesus before telling His story. Rather than immediately jumping into the events of Christ's ministry, he first reveals who Jesus is: the eternal Word of God, the Creator of all things, the source of all life, and the giver of eternal life. Jesus is not merely a great teacher or miracle worker; He is God who became flesh and dwelt among us so that we might know the Father. One of the central truths of the message is that life and light are inseparable in Christ. Jesus gives physical life to all creation because everything was made through Him, but He gives eternal life only to those who receive and believe in Him. His light is more than knowledge—it is the revelation that awakens dead hearts, exposes darkness, and leads people into fellowship with God. His grace and His truth are living realities that transform those who trust Him. John also prepares us for the mixed responses Jesus will receive. Though He created the world, many would not recognize Him, and even His own people would reject Him. Yet those who receive Him by faith had been given the right to become children of God—not because of family heritage, human effort, or religious tradition, but because they are born of God. The new birth is God's work of grace, a truth that Jesus will later explain more fully in His conversation with Nicodemus and in John 5. The miracle at Cana then becomes a living illustration of everything John has just introduced. Jesus takes ordinary wash water—water reserved for ceremonial cleansing—and transforms it into the finest wine. The miracle reveals His glory and demonstrates that He

Why does humanity not see creation as God's own handiwork? In this sermon on Psalm 8:3–4 titled "Blinded by Sin," Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses this important theological question and shows its significance for the Christian life. The reason that humanity can look at creation and believe it is anything other than the creation of God is because they are blinded by sin. All are born in sin and naturally opposed to God. So they reject God, not because of reason, but because of sinful prejudice. The psalmists teach this, but it is also seen in the New Testament through the life and ministry of Jesus when He performs great signs and wonders to the people. But in the end, the people still cry out for Him to be crucified, for they still did not believe that He was God's Son. This is because of the sinful principle in all hearts. What is the answer to humanity's blindness and hard-heartedness? The answer is only found in the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Only by God giving His Son and opening the eyes of sinners can anyone be saved. Salvation is wholly a gift of God wherein He gives salvation freely as a gift.