Pride on SermonAudio

DR# 72 God's Conditional & Un-Conditional Covenants There is a great difference 1 Kings 11:1-14, Deuteronomy 17:14-20, John 3:16, Revelation 19:11-16 Dr. Jim Phillips begins a new series of Messages on Dreams, Visions & Hypnosis in the Bible. If anyone would like to make a donation , all donations no matter how small will be appreciated. Thank you. Our Address in Fish Lake Valley is POB 121 Dyer, Nevada 89010. . Thank You IRS EIN # 82-5114777 The sermon traces the rise and fall of King Solomon, highlighting his initial wisdom and divine favor, symbolized by the Queen of Sheba's awe and conversion, yet ultimately emphasizing how his prosperity and worldly indulgence—evidenced by his vast wealth, foreign marriages, and idolatrous worship—led to spiritual decline. Central to the message is the contrast between the conditional covenant with Solomon, dependent on obedience, and the unconditional Davidic covenant, which ensured the Messianic line would endure through Judah and culminate in Christ. The narrative serves as a sobering warning against the dangers of pride, compromise, and the pursuit of worldly glory, even when cloaked in religious splendor, while pointing to Christ's ultimate sacrifice as the true and lasting Christmas gift. The tone is both pastoral and convicting, urging believers to examine their hearts and offer God a life of faithful stewardship rather than mere ritual or materialism. The sermon concludes with a call to worship and gratitude, rooted in the redemptive work of Jesus, whose suffering and death embody the supreme gift of grace.

This sermon outlines a strategy for protecting marriages from spiritual and relational storms through preventive maintenance rather than reactive repair. The speaker identifies four essential pillars for weatherproofing a union: unity of purpose, total commitment to Christ and each other, endurance in the face of trials, and humility rooted in grace. By viewing marriage as a fortress built on biblical principles, couples are encouraged to cultivate shared spiritual disciplines and seek counsel within the Christian community. The message emphasizes that enduring love requires daily effort, selfless service, and the rejection of pride and contempt. Ultimately, the goal is to create a resilient bond that glorifies God and withstands inevitable conflicts through steadfast faith and mutual submission.

FROM DULL TO DANGEROUS Recovered by a Fresh Look at Jesus The Fall of the Faithful Is Not Fatal Because the Faithful One Is Forever True Kingdom life is an intentional walk of faith. There is no such thing as accidental obedience. God speaks, we hear His message, He gives us light to see as He sees, and faith responds by trusting and acting upon what He has revealed. But even faithful people can stumble, become distracted, or get off course. Circumstances can begin controlling our hearts like an environment controls water. When that happens, we need recovery. Revival is recovery unto the Lord so that we can remain steadfast with the Lord. Psalm 37 reminds us that although the righteous may fall, they are not utterly cast down because the Lord upholds them. The fall of the faithful is not fatal because the Faithful One is forever true. The first step toward recovery is recommitment. Proverbs 16:3 calls us to roll our works upon the Lord and trust Him to establish our thoughts. We need this fresh surrender every day because yesterday's victories cannot replace today's dependence upon Jesus. Pride says, "I can handle today without Him." Humility says, "Lord, order my steps, establish my thoughts, and give me grace for today." The second step is refocusing our eyes upon Jesus. Hebrews tells us to run the race set before us by "looking unto Jesus." He is not only our Substitute and Sacrifice; He is our Example. We learn how to live, love, endure, resist temptation, and finish our course by looking at Him. Luke 24 gives us a beautiful picture of this recovery. The disciples on the Emmaus road were disappointed, confused, and "slow of heart to believe." Jesus came along

This sermon addresses the sin of arrogant self-reliance by examining James chapter four, specifically the error of planning life without acknowledging God's sovereignty. The preacher argues that presuming control over time, location, and future outcomes constitutes practical atheism, as it excludes the Creator from daily decisions and business dealings. By referencing Proverbs 16 and the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12, the message highlights human frailty and the certainty that only God knows tomorrow. The central call is to adopt a posture of humility by consistently invoking 'if the Lord wills' in all plans, thereby submitting personal desires to divine direction. Ultimately, trusting God with one's future brings spiritual peace and aligns daily actions with His righteous purposes. What does James 4:13–17 teach about making plans? Is planning for the future wrong? Why does James condemn the businessman in James 4? What is the real sin in James 4:13? What does "If the Lord wills" actually mean? Should Christians literally say "Lord willing" all the time? Is saying "Lord willing" just a religious phrase? How do I know if my plans honor God? What does it mean to submit your plans to God? What is practical atheism? Can Christians live as though God doesn't exist? What does it mean that life is a vapor? Why does James compare life to a mist? How should the brevity of life change my priorities? Who really controls tomorrow? How does pride affect our plans? What is the sin of presumption? What is self-reliance according to James? How does pride lead us away from God? What areas of life should be submitted to God? Is business a spiritual matter? Is work spiritual?

The sermon examines Matthew 18:20 to argue that Jesus' presence is guaranteed when believers gather in small numbers, contrasting this with the challenges of large megachurches. The speaker critiques the modern decline of pastoral oversight and personal care within expanding local congregations, suggesting that smaller groups prevent division and pride. Historical context regarding early house churches is used to support the value of intimate fellowship over institutional size. The message emphasizes the necessity of a godly pastor's direct involvement in the spiritual welfare of his flock. Ultimately, the text advocates for the enduring validity and spiritual richness of small, focused gatherings.

Wednesday evening session of our Behind The Mask: Breaking Free From Performative Religion teaching sessions presented by Dr. Rand Hummel in conjunction with our 2026 VBS program, Secret Agent Academy The sermon challenges believers to overcome the fear of man and actively share the gospel with non-Christians. It identifies this phobia as a spiritual barrier rooted in pride and emphasizes that God provides power, courage, and love instead of fear. The speaker urges the audience to identify three specific individuals and commit to sharing their faith through simple actions like inviting them for coffee or giving them gospel tracts. Historical accounts of martyrdom and personal anecdotes illustrate the urgency of eternal salvation and the reality of hell. Ultimately, the message calls for a decisive commitment to witness, relying on God's grace rather than human ability.

The peace of God must rule in our hearts, because true peace cannot be produced by controlling our circumstances, managing other people, or avoiding every difficulty in life. Anger, fear, pride, and self-reliance often take the place of peace when we refuse to get out of the way and trust God's will for our lives. The peace of God comes as we yield ourselves to Him, believe His purposes are good, and give thanks in everything, even when we do not understand what He is doing. Therefore, we must let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, encourage one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and seek to live with thankfulness and trust as the peace of God rules in our hearts.

The sermon explores Ezra's balanced theology regarding the sovereignty of God and human responsibility, using his life as a model for believers. It warns against two extremes: fatalism that paralyzes action and man-centered pride that diminishes God's glory. Proper doctrine leads to praising God for His grace and mercy in all circumstances, recognizing that every good thing comes from Him. This understanding compels believers to take faithful action rather than remaining passive, as true faith is evidenced by obedience and trust in God's provision. Ultimately, the message calls for a theology that results in active dependence on God and the exclusive attribution of glory to Him.

Proverbs 11 places righteousness and wickedness side by side and shows that the way we live has real consequences. This chapter highlights integrity versus dishonesty, humility versus pride, generosity versus selfishness, and the fruit of righteous living. In this episode of Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, Dave Jenkins reads Proverbs 11 and explains how integrity matters to God, pride leads to disgrace, generosity brings blessing, and righteousness leads to life. Proverbs 11 ultimately points us to Jesus Christ, the perfectly righteous One, who lived in complete integrity, walked in humility, and gave Himself sacrificially for sinners. For more from Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/reading-the-bible-daily-with-dave/

A brief bit of encouragement for the journey from God's Word. Today's Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 22 To support this devotional ministry: https://faithbaptiststerling.com/give/ Music: "Awaken the Dawn" by Stanton Lanierhttps://www.stantonlanier.com CCLI #20109360