Lust on SermonAudio

The sermon identifies modern idols as sources of false comfort, identity, and control that replace reliance on God. Using the example of King David in 2 Samuel 11, it illustrates how spiritual laziness and idleness create vulnerability to lust and curiosity. The preacher warns against the dangers of doom scrolling and gossip, which dull discernment and lead to sin. By contrasting the lukewarm Laodicean church with the call to endure hardship as a soldier of Christ, the message urges believers to actively fight spiritual battles. Ultimately, it calls for repentance from these hidden idols to restore clarity and usefulness in one's walk with God.

God tests His people to strengthen their faith, but temptation arises from our own sinful desires. Therefore, believers must fight temptation early through the grace of Jesus Christ before it gives birth to sin and death.

Ephesians Series, Message 33 "Governing Our Heart and Tongue for One Another's Greatest Good and the Glory of Christ in Grace Church: A Contrast between Timothy and Alexander the Coppersmith, Demetres and Diotrephes" Ephesians 4:29 17This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20But you have not so learned Christ, 21if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 25Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26"Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27nor give place to the devil. 28Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (NKJV)

The sermon challenges the false distinction between moral standards for preachers and laypeople, asserting that God holds everyone accountable to the same righteous requirements. It emphasizes that adultery begins in the heart through lustful thoughts, as taught in Matthew 5, and warns against rationalizing sin or adding to Scripture. The speaker critiques those who claim immunity from judgment while living unrighteously, using the metaphor of a fruit inspector to illustrate the necessity of evaluating spiritual condition. Additionally, the message underscores the permanence of marriage vows before God and the importance of corporate worship for both personal growth and evangelism. Ultimately, it calls for humility, self-examination, and reliance on biblical truth rather than human tradition or selective interpretation.

Why God Allows the Battle and How He Leads Us to Victory

This sermon examines James 1:12-15 to explain the dangerous progression from temptation to sin and ultimately to death. The speaker emphasizes that while God does not tempt anyone, individuals are drawn away by their own lustful desires. Using biblical examples such as David and Bathsheba, the text illustrates how visual exposure can lead to coveting and subsequent spiritual failure. The central message urges believers, particularly men, to guard their hearts and eyes by immersing themselves in Scripture and actively fighting internal battles against sinful thoughts. Ultimately, enduring these tests through faith results in receiving the crown of life promised to those who love Christ.

Many of them wish to be converted from sin to God. They think that they should be ready to give almost all that they have in the world to be converted, and they pray to God to convert them, and seek for conversion, and take advice to that end, and use a great deal of labor for it. But yet if it be considered what conversion is, or what is meant by conversion, viz. the being turned from all their sins to God. They have no desire to be converted, they will not have conversion when it is offered them, when it comes to them they are not willing to be saved from sin, for they are not willing to part with their sins. When they think of the thing in the general, they wish that they were turned from sin. But when it comes to particulars, they cannot comply with it, they love their sins too well. When a particular lust comes and pleads to be indulged and gratified, then in this instance they have no wish to be converted, they are not willing to be turned from their sin altogether, they cannot bear entirely and forever to renounce and reject it. They have a wish to be converted, but not from enjoying their right hands, and right eyes. They pray that they may be thoroughly and savingly converted, and seem to wish and pray for it. But yet when it comes to them, they are not willing for any more than a partial conversion. They cannot comply with a thorough conversion, for a thorough conversion is a turning from every one of their sins. And that proves that they would be willing to be converted from their sins for a little while, but to part with them finally is what they cannot find it in their hearts to comply with.

~~~~~~~ No 23 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~~~ **Considering 2 Peter 1:1-4** Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, ...... 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. *1/ Like precious faith and how it is obtained - "Through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:" 2/ What his divine power has given us - "All things that pertain unto life and godliness" 3/ The means used - "Through the knowledge of him that hath called us." 4/ The all things - Including "exceeding great and precious promises:" 5/ The influence and effect of these promises.* **Sermon Summary:** The sermon explores the great and precious promises found in 2 Peter 1, emphasizing that faith is a divine gift obtained through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. It highlights God's divine power as the source for all things pertaining to spiritual life and godliness, accessible through a deepening knowledge of Him who called believers. The preacher explains that these promises provide grace, peace, and eternal inheritance, enabling Christians to partake in the divine nature and escape worldly corruption. By focusing on Christ rather than visions or human effort, believers are equipped to stand against false doctrine and live faithfully. The message encourages reliance on Scripture and the person of Jesus for assurance, strength, and daily conduct.

The devotion emphasizes that spiritual vigor and joy depend entirely on the mortification of sin. Unmortified sin weakens the soul, entangles its affections, and diverts the heart from communion with God. By capturing thoughts and hindering spiritual duties, unaddressed lusts lead to profound spiritual sickness and desolation. The text illustrates how harboring sin displaces the love of God with worldly pursuits. Ultimately, maintaining a healthy spiritual life requires actively breaking the power of unmortified sin.

The sermon emphasizes that true salvation is secured solely by faith in Jesus Christ and cannot be lost through human effort or failure. Using the example of Israel in the wilderness, it distinguishes between outward religious association and genuine inward trust in Christ's finished work. The preacher argues that while many may appear to be part of God's people, only those with authentic faith receive His pleasure and eternal security. Evidence of true salvation includes a transformed life marked by repentance and a rejection of worldly lusts. Ultimately, believers are called to rest in the certainty of their standing in Christ rather than relying on their own performance.