Lust on SermonAudio

This sermon explores the biblical imperative for believers to be useful to the Master, contrasting the lives of true servants with those of false teachers who are useless to God. Drawing from 2 Timothy 2, the message outlines two key characteristics of a useful vessel: being an honored vessel and possessing a pure heart. The first characteristic involves cleansing oneself from the influence of apostasy and false doctrine to be sanctified, set apart for God's purposes, and prepared for every good work. The second characteristic focuses on the active pursuit of righteousness, faith, love, and peace while fleeing from youthful lusts, which are defined broadly as any sinful passion that leads to conflict. The tone is instructional and convicting, urging the congregation to examine their hearts and relationships to ensure they are living in a manner that glorifies God through faithful service.

Gospel Sermon

To lay aside is not gently remove them, fold them up and put them in the draw, but to cast away, take them off as disgusting filth for they are the works of the flesh that we are so aptly warned of in the Holy Scripture. Those weights may consist of pride, worldly entanglements, or various forms of lust. Worldly philosophies and hypocrisy; the putting off of the old man.

This teaching explores the concept of believers as vessels within the body of Christ, emphasizing that true sanctification is not achieved through human effort or performance but through the work of the Holy Spirit. The sermon explains that cleansing oneself from dishonor involves a spiritual transformation where the believer's gaze is fixed on Christ, resulting in a changed nature that desires righteousness over fleshly lusts. It highlights the necessity of dependence on divine grace, noting that the Spirit enables believers to flee from youthful desires and pursue intimacy with God. The discussion underscores that this process is gradual and relational, driven by the Spirit's work to conform the believer to the image of Christ for His good pleasure.

This sermon examines James 4:1-3 to identify the root cause of conflict among believers as selfish desires and the influence of earthly wisdom. The message explains how unsurrendered desires for pleasure produce strife, envy, covetousness, and self-reliance, contrasting these destructive attitudes with the peaceable and gentle wisdom that comes from above. Through the illustration of the cuckoo bird, the sermon demonstrates how selfish ambitions can consume our attention, harm others, and leave us continually unsatisfied. The text also challenges believers to examine their prayer lives, recognizing that both neglecting prayer and praying with selfish motives reveal a failure to depend upon God. Key themes include walking in the Spirit rather than the flesh, replacing worldly ambitions with godly desires, and approaching God in earnest prayer according to His will. The message concludes by encouraging believers to examine their hearts, turn from sinful desires, and pray boldly with confidence in God's goodness and faithfulness.

This text and study examine the practical implications of salvation by grace, contrasting the futile effort of keeping the Mosaic law with the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes that believers are called to walk in the Spirit, a daily discipline of being filled through prayer, the Word, and fellowship, rather than relying on carnal strength to justify themselves. The text highlights the internal conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, noting that while the flesh produces evident works of sin, the Spirit produces transformative fruit such as love, joy, and peace. The central argument is that true Christian liberty is found not in legalistic adherence to rules, but in abiding in Christ, walking in the Spirit, allowing God to work in believers to will and do His good pleasure. The passage concludes with the imperative that those who live in the Spirit must consistently walk in the Spirit to overcome the lusts of the flesh.

Prayer is vital communication between us and God. But there can be hinderances to our prayers. Hear Pastor Brian explain some things that can be clogging our communication with God and how to fix those issues.

The temptation that results in joy vs the temptation that excuses their sin.

This sermon examines the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount regarding adultery, fornication, and divorce, emphasizing that God's law moves from external actions to the internal condition of the heart. The speaker argues that lustful thoughts constitute spiritual adultery and that the sanctity of marriage is a divine covenant that must be preserved with utmost reverence. While acknowledging the difficulty of these topics, the message warns against the chaos of unlawful relationships and second marriages, asserting that such sins disqualify individuals from certain church roles and bring divine judgment. The sermon calls for strict personal holiness, urging believers to guard their minds against impure influences and to view marriage as a lifelong spiritual commitment rather than a casual union. It concludes by affirming that while grace offers forgiveness, the standard of God's law remains unchanged, requiring believers to pursue purity in both thought and action.