Pride on SermonAudio

What do Christians have to be thankful for, even when life is filled with uncertainty, disappointment, or hardship? While Thanksgiving often reminds us of family, traditions, and material blessings, Scripture points us to far greater reasons for gratitude that remain unchanged regardless of our circumstances. In this special Thanksgiving message, Pastor Robb Brunansky examines six biblical reasons believers should continually give thanks to God: His provision for our daily needs, the fellowship of the church, His saving and sanctifying work in other believers, our own salvation by grace, the incomparable gift of Jesus Christ, and His sovereign work in all things for our good and His glory. Drawing from passages throughout the New Testament, Pastor Robb explains how genuine gratitude combats anxiety, discouragement, pride, and discontentment while strengthening our confidence in God's faithfulness. Even amid suffering and uncertainty, Christians can give thanks because nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This message encourages believers to cultivate hearts of thanksgiving, remembering that our greatest blessings are not found in our circumstances but in our sovereign Savior, who has promised us eternal victory through Jesus Christ.

This, the 49th sermon on Romans, explores the call for believers to embrace humility and unity within the body of Christ, using the metaphor of a 'Humble Workers Union' to illustrate mutual dependence. The message emphasizes that while individual gifts and functions differ, all members belong to one body under Christ's headship, requiring a sober assessment of self rather than inflated pride. Drawing from Romans 12, the teaching urges the congregation to view their spiritual gifts as expressions of God's grace intended for active service to others, not for personal boasting. The tone is pastoral and encouraging, addressing contemporary cultural divisions by contrasting them with the biblical mandate for shared belonging and diligent, cheerful ministry. Ultimately, the sermon challenges listeners to move from passive reception of grace to faithful, humble action that supports the collective mission of the church.

This sermon examines the martyrdom of John the Baptist to illustrate the high cost of faithfully proclaiming the message of repentance and the severe consequences of ignoring it. The central argument contrasts John's moral courage and integrity with King Herod's pride and unrepentant sin, demonstrating that a convicted conscience is insufficient without genuine turning to God. The exposition highlights how Herod's hesitation and eventual failure to repent hardened his heart, leading to the unjust execution of a righteous man. Furthermore, the passage is presented as a foreshadowing of the crucifixion, where Jesus, unlike John, is the message itself and conquers death through resurrection. The sermon concludes with a pastoral exhortation for believers to count the cost of discipleship and to repent immediately rather than delaying their response to the gospel.

This sermon explores the intimate relationship between the believer and God through the diligent study of Scripture, focusing on Psalm 119:135. It argues that the primary motive for reading the Bible should not be mere self-preservation or the accumulation of knowledge, but a desire to know God personally and to experience His goodness, mercy, and grace. The text contrasts the casual reader who remains in spiritual infancy with the blessed man who meditates on God's law day and night, seeking a deeper communion that transforms character and life. By emphasizing that God's face shining upon the servant is the context for His teaching, the message encourages believers to approach the Word with reverence and humility, ensuring that their knowledge leads to a holy and devoted life rather than pride. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a return to the psalmist's heart, where the desire to be taught is inseparable from the desire to behold the glory of Christ.

Love is the oil that causes the local church to function to the degree God calls her to function. Understanding the nature of love in the local church is critical to pursuing health in the local church. 1 Corinthians 13 was written to that end as Paul was instructing the church at Corinth how to function in love.

This message is a sermon encouraging believers to yield to God's daily guidance rather than remaining stubborn or prideful in their faith. The speaker contrasts three animals mentioned in the Bible—the horse, the mule, and the donkey—with three types of people. He likens the proud, independent "natural man" to a horse that requires a bit and bridle, and the stubborn, self-protecting "carnal Christian" to a mule that refuses to work hard or take risks. Drawing on principles of parenting and passages like Psalm 32 and 1 Corinthians, the speaker urges the congregation to humbly accept God's instruction, avoid division, and simply be like the donkey, willingly following the Lord's gentle leading.

Chapter timestamps: Note: Times are estimated 00:00 — Introduction: The Disciples and Their Desire for Greatness 01:25 — Seeking Position in Christ's Kingdom 02:42 — Jesus Knows the Thoughts of the Heart 03:44 — Serving Christ Is Not a Competition 05:29 — True Greatness Through Humility 06:27 — Why Jesus Chose a Child 08:07 — How We Treat Others Reflects Our Relationship with God 08:40 — The Greatest Must Be the Servant of All 09:31 — Avoiding Favoritism and Respect of Persons 10:37 — The Disciples Forbid Another Man from Serving 12:10 — Jesus Corrects the Disciples' Exclusiveness 14:01 — The Importance of Sound Doctrine 15:04 — God Gives the Increase 15:44 — Even the Disciples Struggled with Pride 16:36 — Examining Our Motives for Ministry 17:36 — Jesus Christ: The Perfect Example of Humility 19:33 — True Greatness Is Faithfulness to God 20:40 — Growing Through the Study of God's Word 21:59 — Using the Talents God Has Given Us 23:03 — Faithfulness in Sharing the Gospel 24:36 — Closing Prayer: Growing in Faithful Service

The sermon examines the biblical instruction in 1 Timothy 5:1 to treat older men with paternal respect rather than harsh verbal rebuke, distinguishing this specific manner of correction from the general duty to address sin. It argues that while rebuke is necessary for spiritual growth, it must be delivered with gentleness, love, and a spirit of restoration to avoid damaging the relational fabric of the church. The message emphasizes the importance of self-examination and humility before correcting others, warning against the pride that can accompany a desire to condemn. Furthermore, it addresses the need for purity in interactions between men and women, urging believers to maintain appropriate boundaries to avoid the appearance of evil. Ultimately, the sermon calls the congregation to balance truth with kindness, ensuring that correction serves to encourage and restore rather than to shame or isolate.

This sermon explores the human longing for acceptance and status, framed as a desire to enter an "inner ring," and argues that this drive is ultimately a reflection of the soul's need for belonging to God. By examining the context of Jesus' passion prediction in Matthew 20, the message highlights how spiritual pride and ambition often blind believers to the cost of discipleship, contrasting the world's exclusive hierarchies with the inclusive nature of the Trinity. The central theological claim is that Jesus, through his substitutionary death and resurrection, paid the price to open the way for believers to enter God's eternal fellowship, satisfying the deepest human desires that worldly achievements cannot fulfill. The tone is pastoral and encouraging, urging the audience to find their identity and security in Christ rather than in social or professional validation. Finally, the sermon calls believers to use their secure position in God's kingdom to serve others humbly, sharing the gospel and working for the common good without fear of exclusion or failure.