Pride on SermonAudio

Welcome back to our ongoing exploration of the Hickman edition of Jonathan Edwards, where today we pull back the curtain on the experiential core of the great theologian's revival ministry. Moving beyond his terrifying warning sermons, we synthesize the positive architecture of Edwards's thought—from the direct, soul-transforming beauty of *A Divine and Supernatural Light* and the supreme satisfaction found in *God the Best Portion of the Christian*, to the urgent, lifelong labor of *Pressing Into the Kingdom of God*. Far from teaching human preparationism, Edwards demonstrates how God intentionally uses the awakened sinner's legal strivings, lingering hypocrisies, and accumulated guilt to thoroughly shatter all self-righteousness, stripping the soul of its innate moral pride until, thoroughly humbled in the valley of trouble, it drops every weapon of self-reliance and relies solely upon sovereign, unmerited grace.

The devotional centers on the transformative power of aligning one's thoughts with God's eternal purposes, drawing from Jeremiah 29:11–14 to affirm that God has plans for peace, hope, and a fulfilled future for His people. It warns against the dangers of prideful thinking, particularly self-comparison and self-deception, as highlighted in Romans 12:3 and 2 Corinthians 10:12, emphasizing that such thinking leads to spiritual distortion. The message calls for a threefold response: accepting one's current circumstances as part of God's sovereign plan, repenting of complaining, and submitting fully to God's will through the renewal of the mind. By rejecting worldly values and embracing divine truth, believers are invited to live as living sacrifices, transformed by God's mercy and freed from the destructive patterns of comparison and pride.

This sermon examines the instructions Paul gives to the rich in 1 Timothy 6, challenging the listener to recognize that these commands apply to all believers regardless of their financial status. The central message urges Christians to reject pride and the false security found in material wealth, instead placing their hope entirely in God who richly provides. The text emphasizes the necessity of being rich in good works, encouraging believers to invest in the kingdom through service, prayer, and evangelism rather than merely accumulating earthly treasures. Furthermore, the sermon highlights the call to generosity, drawing on examples from the early church to demonstrate that sharing resources is a reflection of God's character and essential for the advancement of the gospel. The tone is pastoral and instructional, aiming to inspire a balanced heart that trusts in divine provision while actively participating in the life and mission of the church.

How do WE react when an evil man that is bent on doing us evil and harm because we are a Christian, a follower of the dear Savior? Do we rise in anger if he spits on us? Are we to be as sheep led to the slaughter or respond like angry bears? When we respond, are we concerned with our self-image, our pride, our personal feelings? The point is that we are to be empty of self, we are to allow being degraded, misused, misunderstood, even abused for the sake and name of Christ. We are to be exactly like him. To "resist not evil" is not to resist evil men as they attack you personally for being a Christian.

Because the Church belongs to Christ, we must take care how we build it!

This sermon explores the nature of the local church through three metaphors presented in 1 Corinthians 3: it is a field, a building, and a temple. The central message emphasizes that while ministers are servants who plant and water, it is God alone who gives the increase, thereby removing human pride from the work of evangelism. The preacher warns against building with 'wood, hay, and stubble' by prioritizing numbers over genuine conversion and biblical standards, urging believers to seek the quality of 'gold, silver, and precious stones' that withstands divine judgment. The discourse concludes by affirming the church as the temple of the living God, where the Holy Spirit dwells among His people, calling for a reverent view of the local body as a spiritual institution rather than merely a social gathering.

And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. (Luke 9:36) **Sermon summary:** This sermon examines the Transfiguration account in Luke 9, emphasizing that the event serves as a divine confirmation of the Word of God rather than a model for seeking supernatural visions. The exposition highlights the centrality of prayer as the starting point for spiritual blessing and the necessity of viewing Christ through the lens of Scripture, where the Law and Prophets find their fulfilment in Him. The preacher addresses the disciples' human weakness and partial understanding, encouraging believers to trust in God's timing and to avoid pride or misinterpretation of spiritual experiences. The central message urges the church to focus on the preeminence of Christ, recognizing that when the voice of the Father declares the Son, all other distractions fade, leaving Jesus alone as the object of faith and obedience.