This sermon explores the Parable of the Prodigal Son to illustrate that the most difficult aspect of returning to God is taking the initial step of repentance. The preacher emphasizes that human nature often prioritizes material gain and self-sufficiency over relationships, leading individuals to squander their time and resources on fleeting pleasures. True restoration requires a divine awakening that prompts honest self-assessment and the humble admission of being wrong. The message highlights that God's compassion is immediate and unconditional upon repentance, contrasting sharply with the conditional acceptance found in worldly relationships. Ultimately, the sermon urges listeners to abandon pride and deferment, encouraging them to take the first step toward Christ through Scripture and sincere prayer.

Canons of Dort Heads 3-4: Articles 13-14 ARTICLE 13 – This working of God in man is a Wondrous Mystery, yet man believes it by the grace of God The manner of this operation cannot be fully comprehended by believers in this life. Nevertheless, they are satisfied to know and experience that by this grace of God they are enabled to believe with the heart and to love their Savior. ARTICLE 14 – Faith is the gift of God – infused, inbreathed into man. God produces both the will and the act of believing. Faith is therefore to be considered as the gift of God, not on account of its being offered by God to man, to be accepted or rejected at his pleasure, but because it is in reality conferred upon him, breathed and infused into him; nor even because God bestows the power or ability to believe, and then expects that man should by the exercise of his own free will consent to the terms of salvation and actually believe in Christ, but because He who works in man both to will and to work, and indeed all things in all, produces both the will to believe and the act of believing also.

This sermon explores the theological framework of salvation, distinguishing between justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification. It highlights the paradox that believers must actively work out their salvation while recognizing that God is simultaneously working within them to will and do His pleasure. The preacher emphasizes that the pursuit of holiness should be motivated by love for Christ rather than burdened by self-effort or fear of man. Practical application involves maintaining purity, avoiding grumbling, and shining as lights in a dark world through consistent obedience and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to find joy in their transformation and assurance that their labor in the Lord is never in vain.

Watch Spiritual Treasure and Our Use of Material Things – Part 2 to understand the biblical stewardship of wealth and sowing to the Spirit. The way believers handle their finances reveals their true spiritual valuation. In Galatians 6, the Apostle Paul connects our daily financial decisions to the eternal principle of sowing and reaping. True Christians understand that their earthly possessions are tools for eternal investment. Sowing to the flesh leads to destruction, but sowing to the Spirit yields eternal life. This requires a personal decision to prioritize the advancement of truth and the care of faithful biblical teachers. We must not be deceived into thinking we can ignore God in our earthly stewardship. Believers are called to leverage their resources to do good to all people, especially the household of faith. A right biblical worldview looks beyond passing pleasures and fixes its hope on future rewards. We must seize every opportunity to invest our lives in what truly matters. Key Biblical Takeaways: - True treasure is revealed by a loving investment in those who faithfully teach the Word of God. - God cannot be mocked; the spiritual and financial seeds you plant today determine your eternal harvest. - Sowing to the Spirit means using your resources to build up the church rather than feeding fleshly desires. - Christians must urgently do good to everyone while prioritizing the needs of fellow believers.

Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

The sermon exhorts believers to actively work out their salvation with serious reverence, emphasizing that spiritual growth is a personal responsibility independent of pastoral supervision. Using the metaphor of physical exercise, the preacher illustrates how God empowers believers while they must diligently apply themselves to their faith. Several obstacles are identified as hindrances to this process, including neglect, fear, distraction, conceit, excessive leisure, and procrastination. The message warns that ignoring these duties leads to spiritual stagnation and potential judgment at the seat of Christ. Ultimately, Christians are called to live purposefully for God's pleasure rather than remaining passive recipients of grace.

Welcome to the worship service of Covenant Reformed Baptist Church in Easley South Carolina.

The sermon emphasizes that genuine faith is demonstrated through love for fellow believers and persistent prayer rather than mere religious ritual. Drawing from 1 John and 1 Timothy, the speaker contrasts the self-centered attitude of modern Christianity with the sacrificial devotion of early Christians who relied on prayer to sustain their communities. The text argues that true religion involves bridling one's tongue, honoring spiritual leaders, and actively caring for the physical and spiritual needs of others. It warns against a faith focused on personal gain or pleasure, asserting that such an approach is spiritually dead. Ultimately, the message calls believers to prioritize eternal love and intercessory prayer as the vital means of overcoming worldly challenges and reflecting Christ's righteousness.

The Bible is a book one can turn to for truth. It comes with warnings, and challenges one's thinking. In it are found the teachings of what is right and wrong, how to live during one's time on earth, and the history of humans. In this sermon on Judges 18:7 and 28 titled "A Right View of Life," Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones points out that even though the Bible gives directions on how to live, humans too often decide to make their own way of life and come up with their own solutions to the world's problems, all apart from the Bible. Dr. Lloyd-Jones goes through the history of the Bible and points out specific examples of how humans have done this. This kind of view on life is a selfish one: it only focuses on the self rather than on God and others. Not only that, but this kind of view also leads to lawlessness and carelessness. Humans are sinners and not fit to decide how they should live. Rather, Christians need to spend time growing their relationship with God and reading His word. They need to listen to His commands on how they should live and love Him well.

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.