Pride on SermonAudio

This sermon examines the second priority in Jesus' training of the twelve apostles: cultivating humble faith and prayerful dependence. The speaker argues that in an era of information overload and self-reliance, the Church must counter-culturally model a life of total dependence on God. Jesus achieved this through four specific methods: setting an example of prayerful submission, instructing disciples on their need for grace, rebuking their pride and self-sufficiency, and placing them in the 'school of providence' to expose their limitations. The central message is that spiritual vitality and effective ministry are impossible apart from vital union with Christ, as He declared, 'Apart from me, you can do nothing.' The tone is instructional and convicting, challenging believers to abandon self-reliance and embrace a posture of desperate need for God's strength in all areas of life.

Jesus shows us what it means to love much.

This sermon examines the plot to kill Jesus during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, highlighting the theological significance of the Passover as a foreshadowing of Christ's atoning sacrifice. It explores the betrayal by Judas Iscariot, attributing his actions to the influence of Satan, the love of money, and wounded pride, while emphasizing that God sovereignly used these evil acts to accomplish His redemptive purpose. The message warns believers against the danger of outward religious observance without inward faith, using Judas as a cautionary example of someone who had access to all means of grace yet remained unconverted. It encourages the audience to examine their own hearts for idols and pride, ensuring that the Word of God produces genuine transformation rather than mere intellectual assent. Ultimately, the sermon points to the assurance of God's sovereignty and the necessity of personal faith in Christ for salvation.

This sermon examines the Apostle Paul's motivation for surrendering his personal rights and liberties, identifying the advancement of the gospel as the primary driver. The central message emphasizes that true Christian service involves voluntary self-denial and cultural accommodation to reach lost souls, rather than compromising doctrinal truth. By contrasting Paul's flexibility with the immutability of God's word, the exposition highlights the distinction between wise adaptation and sinful compromise. The preacher urges believers to emulate Christ's example of humble servitude, prioritizing the salvation of others over personal comfort or preference. Ultimately, the call is for the church to be actively engaged in the mission of saving souls, recognizing that the gospel's power is best displayed when believers are willing to lay down their own rights for the sake of others.

This sermon examines the narrative of King Hezekiah in Isaiah 39, highlighting how divine blessings can inadvertently reveal the pride and self-reliance within a believer's heart. The central message warns that human strength, wealth, and political alliances are ultimately unstable and cannot provide true security, as illustrated by the prophecy of Babylon's future conquest of Judah. By contrasting Hezekiah's failure to glorify God with his display of treasures, the text emphasizes the necessity of placing ultimate trust in God rather than in earthly possessions or personal achievements. The sermon concludes by pointing to Jesus Christ as the only sufficient and eternal King who bears the judgment of sin and offers true salvation, urging listeners to rely on His grace rather than their own goodness or circumstances.

This sermon examines the root cause of division within the Corinthian church, identifying self-deception as the underlying condition rather than the symptom of factionalism. The message argues that believers often adopt worldly standards of wisdom and leadership, leading to a false perception of their own spiritual maturity. Consequently, this distorted view produces a false pursuit of human influence and a false evaluation of others, where human judgment is elevated above divine authority. The text emphasizes that true wisdom requires acknowledging one's ignorance and submitting to God's ultimate judgment, as only He can reveal the hidden counsels of the heart. The sermon concludes by urging the church to recognize their vast inheritance in Christ, which renders petty conflicts over personalities and methods insignificant.

This sermon examines the true depth of the sixth commandment, arguing that Jesus condemns not only physical murder but also the unrighteous anger and contempt that originate in the heart. The message distinguishes between righteous anger, which is directed against sin and governed by God's law, and unrighteous anger, which stems from insecurity, pride, or a desire for control. It warns that harboring such bitterness disrupts one's relationship with God, hindering worship and prayer, and urges believers to pursue reconciliation with their neighbors before approaching the altar. Benjamin reminds the congregation of the urgency of dealing with conflict quickly to prevent it from spiraling out of control, using the metaphor of taking out the rubbish to illustrate the need for timely resolution. Ultimately, the sermon points to Christ as the only source of forgiveness, righteousness, and the power to overcome the destructive nature of unrighteous anger.