God, in His graciousness, has delivered Christian believers from the condemnation of their sins. It is reasonable that we should desire to render to the Lord the sacrifice of ourselves for all of His goodness, kindness, and mercy to us. THE BIBLE Baptist Church of DeLand, Florida Pastor James W. Knox Pastor David A. Brown https://biblebaptistdeland.com For more sermons and Bible study materials, please visit our web store at https://store.jameswknox.org/ DeLand School of THE BIBLE: https://dsbkjv.com

The sermon expounds on Matthew 6, urging believers to prioritize eternal treasures over temporary earthly possessions by recognizing the inevitable decay of material wealth. It emphasizes the necessity of single-minded devotion to God, warning against the spiritual danger of serving both divine and worldly masters simultaneously. The preacher encourages the audience to abandon anxiety regarding daily needs, pointing to God's provision for creation as evidence of His care for His people. Central to this message is the command to seek the Kingdom of God first, trusting that all necessary physical provisions will be supplied by a faithful Father. Ultimately, the passage calls for a life defined by relational faith and active pursuit of righteousness rather than passive worry or cultural compromise.

The Regulative Principle of Worship • The sermon defines the "regulative principle of worship" as the practice of worshipping God strictly according to His prescribed Word, rather than through human tradition or "seeker-friendly" tactics. • Acts 2:42 serves as the foundational text, illustrating an orderly, spirit-led pattern for the early church that avoids chaos . • The speaker argues that this passage is prescriptive, not merely descriptive, because it mirrors the divine pattern of establishment seen in Old Testament Israel . Core Elements of Worship • The four definitive elements of worship identified are the apostles' teaching, the fellowship (koinonia), the breaking of the bread, and the prayers . • "The apostles' teaching" is prioritized as the central, public, and sufficient authority for the church, emphasizing sola scriptura. • "The fellowship" (koinonia) is interpreted as a specific, tangible act of worship involving financial support and material sharing, rather than a general social concept . • "The breaking of the bread" refers specifically to the Lord's Supper, while "the prayers" denotes formal, corporate prayer led by men in the congregation.

The sermon (loosely drawn from Glen Schrivner's article on The Abraham Option) uses the narrative of Genesis 14 to illustrate how believers should navigate a deeply polarized culture without seeking partisan power or material possessions. It contrasts the world's focus on dominance with Abram's faithful stance as an outsider who defends his kin while refusing to align with any single political faction. The preacher emphasizes that Christians are called to contend for the faith when it directly impacts their spiritual family, rather than engaging in broad cultural battles. By rejecting the pursuit of honor from man and giving all glory to God, believers mirror the example of Jesus, who remained distinct from worldly systems while securing ultimate victory through the cross.

The sermon explores the tension between worldly ambition and spiritual fidelity within the context of 1 Timothy 6. It contrasts false teachers who view godliness as a means to financial gain with the call for believers to pursue righteousness and eternal life. The preacher highlights Jesus' confession before Pontius Pilate as a model for enduring trials without compromising truth for earthly advantage. This passage urges ministers and wealthy individuals alike to reject materialism and instead use resources for God's glory. Ultimately, the message emphasizes holding fast to the hope of Christ's return as the foundation for faithful living.

This sermon examines 1 Timothy 6:1-10, focusing on the biblical instructions for servants regarding their masters and the spiritual dangers of coveting wealth. Ms. Lester emphasizes that godliness combined with contentment constitutes true gain, contrasting this with the destructive nature of the love of money. Through personal anecdotes and scriptural analysis, the message encourages believers to honor God in their daily relationships and financial attitudes, recognizing that material possessions cannot provide lasting satisfaction or peace. The central theme urges Christians to prioritize spiritual treasures over earthly riches and to view wealth as a tool for serving others rather than an object of idolatry.

The sermon contrasts the allure of God's promises with the necessity of His presence, using Exodus 33 to illustrate that blessings without divine fellowship are empty. It highlights Moses' refusal to enter the Promised Land unless God accompanied the people, emphasizing that knowing God personally is superior to any material gain or favorable circumstance. By connecting this Old Testament narrative with Paul's desire in Philippians and Jesus' promise of rest, the message urges believers to prioritize a deep, ongoing relationship with Christ over worldly success. I challenge the listener o stop settling for doctrine or single points of excitement with God and instead actively seek God's glory and power in their daily lives. Ultimately, the core argument is that true fulfillment and identity as believers are found only in walking closely with God, regardless of external outcomes.

What truly has your heart? In 1 Peter 1:3–9, Peter reminds believers that although we have not physically seen Jesus Christ, we can truly love Him, trust Him, and rejoice in Him. Our faith is tested through trials, purified by obedience to God's Word, and directed toward an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. In this sermon, we examine what it means to genuinely love Jesus Christ in a culture competing for our attention and affection. Outward religion, Christian traditions, doctrine, church activity, politics, materialism, entertainment, and even family can become substitutes for Christ when our hearts are not fixed upon Him. Jesus does not call us merely to add Christianity to our lives. He calls us to follow Him, deny ourselves, bear our cross, obey His Word, and love Him above everything else. What owns your affections? What controls your joy? What consumes your thoughts? Is Christ truly your greatest treasure—or has He become merely an accessory to your life? This message calls us to examine our hearts, repent of divided affections, return to our first love, and look again to Jesus Christ—the One who gave Himself for His people, bore our punishment, paid our debt, gives us His Spirit, intercedes for us, and promises never to cast out those who come to Him. If you are searching for deeper, Christ-centered Christianity rather than entertainment-driven religion, we invite you to listen, open your Bible, and consider the claims of Jesus Christ. Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3–9 Additional Scriptures: John 14:21; 1 Peter 1:2, 14, 22–23; Romans 12:1–2; Revelation 2:4–5; Hebrews 11 Cornerstone Presbyterian Church www.cornerstonepresbyterian.church

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Matthew 6:19–21 (NASB)