Lust on SermonAudio

The sermon examines Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5 to reveal God's severe perspective on sin, emphasizing that it extends beyond physical acts to include lustful intentions and sins of omission. By analyzing the progression from eye to heart to hand, the message illustrates how sin originates within and seeks to dominate every aspect of a believer's life. The preacher argues that understanding the true depravity of the human heart is essential for recognizing the need for Christ's cleansing power. Believers are urged to adopt a radical approach to holiness by confessing sin and actively removing any influences that lead to wrongdoing. Ultimately, victory over sin is achieved not through self-effort but through walking in the Spirit and fixing one's eyes on Jesus.

The sermon examines Nehemiah chapter 13 to demonstrate that even the most significant spiritual reforms ultimately fail due to human brokenness. It identifies four specific attitudes—prioritizing family, money, time, and lust over God—that can destroy reformation efforts within individuals and churches. By analyzing historical examples like Luther and Edwards alongside the biblical text, the preacher argues that external reform is insufficient without internal reliance on Christ. The message concludes by urging ministers to cleanse sin, mobilize the congregation for service, and provide fuel for worship while pointing believers to their dependence on Jesus for true and lasting change.

The sermon contrasts political liberty with the spiritual freedom granted to believers through Christ, drawing parallels between the Declaration of Independence and Galatians 5. It emphasizes that God's effectual call grants life and liberty not for self-gratification but to serve others in love. The preacher warns against misusing freedom by establishing a beachhead for lust, which leads to relational destruction and spiritual emptiness. True liberty is found only when the Spirit breaks the power of sin and fulfills the law through loving God and neighbor. Ultimately, believers are called to pursue the joy of God's presence, which empowers them to love sacrificially without needing external validation.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

2 Peter 1:4 "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

VaultAI Summary: This sermon warns believers to identify and flee the doctrine of Balaam, a false teacher whose teachings were driven by lust and covetousness rather than genuine faith. Drawing from 2 Peter 2 and Numbers 22-25, the text explains how Balaam attempted to curse Israel for profit but ultimately seduced God's people through sexual immorality and idolatry. The preacher emphasizes that false doctrines often cater to the flesh, allowing sinners to maintain an orthodox profession while pursuing their sinful desires. This spiritual blindness is described as madness, where individuals defy God's clear commands despite knowing the truth. Ultimately, the sermon contrasts the destructive path of Balaam with the blessedness found in godliness and contentment through Christ.

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Verse by verse exposition through the book of Hebrews. (Sermon also includes the reading and exhortation from the Lord's Table liturgy) Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. Is 64:5 You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, Who remembers You in Your ways. You are indeed angry, for we have sinned— In these ways we continue; And we need to be saved. 6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away. Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. Rom 6:11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.