Lust on SermonAudio

Paul uses the example of Israel to teach about temptation and how to avoid it. The promise is clear. God is faithful and will always give you a way to escape temptation. Israel yielded to the temptation to worship idols and to the lust of the flesh. However, temptation is not the problem. Yielding is the problem. Indeed, it only took days to get Israel out of Egypt and we are still trying to get Egypt out of Israel.

This sermon addresses the human tendency to blame external circumstances or other people for personal difficulties, arguing instead that the root cause of sin and unhappiness is the internal state of the heart. By citing examples such as the fall of Adam and Eve and the conduct of Paul and Silas in prison, the message contrasts self-reliant complaining with Christ-like endurance and joy. The central theological argument is that it is impossible to live a righteous life or maintain a godly attitude through one's own strength, as the flesh naturally lusts against the Spirit. Therefore, believers are called to abandon their own understanding and self-will, relying entirely on the daily assistance of the Holy Spirit to overcome sin and reflect Christ to others. The sermon concludes with a call to cast all burdens upon God, recognizing that true happiness and spiritual victory come only through dependence on divine grace rather than human effort.

This sermon examines the teachings in Matthew 5:23-30, emphasizing the necessity of interpersonal reconciliation before engaging in worship and the critical importance of internal purity. The speaker argues that unresolved offenses against neighbors invalidate one's service to God, urging believers to seek forgiveness promptly rather than waiting for divine judgment. The lesson extends to the severity of lust and adultery, asserting that heart sins inevitably manifest in physical actions if not controlled by the Holy Spirit. By contrasting superficial righteousness with genuine holiness, the message calls for a rigorous self-examination and the mortification of fleshly desires to ensure a clean conscience before God.

This sermon outlines twenty practical steps for believers to combat sexual temptation and pursue holiness, grounded in the exhortation of 1 Thessalonians 4. The central message emphasizes that victory over sin requires a foundational belief in the gospel, a close walk with Christ, and a recognition of sin's evil nature. The tone is instructional and convicting, urging the audience to engage in daily spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Scripture meditation, and honest confession. It further advises practical measures like maintaining marital intimacy, avoiding idleness, and establishing accountability structures within the church community. The sermon concludes with a call to humility and perseverance, reminding listeners that while they are prone to fall, they must never stop fighting for their spiritual purity.

This sermon examines the spiritual privileges of the nation of Israel, including their redemption, sustenance, and divine presence, to illustrate that spiritual privilege does not guarantee faithfulness. The central message warns believers against the sinful practices of lust, idolatry, fornication, and murmuring, which led to the judgment of the majority of the Exodus generation. By contrasting Israel's experiences with the completed work of Christ, the text emphasizes that believers are called to a higher standard of obedience and humility. The preacher urges the audience to view Scripture as a pattern for admonition, steering their lives by the light of God's Word rather than their own perceptions. Ultimately, the message calls for vigilance in the Christian race, urging believers to remain faithful and avoid the danger of becoming complacent or spiritually stagnant.

Verse by verse exposition through the book of Hebrews. (Sermon also includes the reading and exhortation from the Lord's Table liturgy) Heb 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" 1 Tim 6: 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows..... 17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share...