Search Results on SermonAudio

How is church discipline one of the keys of the kingdom? What's its purpose?

This sermon explores the theological concept of the effectual call of God, emphasizing that salvation is a purposeful act of divine grace rather than human effort. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 1:26, the message highlights that God often chooses the weak and unwise to demonstrate that power and wisdom belong to Him alone. It contrasts the spiritual blindness of the natural man, who resists the truth, with the enlightenment of the believer, whose eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit to see Christ as the sole source of righteousness. The tone is celebratory and instructional, urging listeners to recognize their total dependence on God's initiative and to rejoice in the truth that they have been called out of darkness into marvelous light.

In 2 Corinthians 5:20, the apostle Paul tells God's people that "we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." If you want a demonstration of this spirit in a gospel preacher after the time of the apostles, you could not do much better that read this sermon from Charles Spurgeon. He begins by insisting that the voice we must hear in the sermon is not that of the prophet who first spoke these words, nor that of the preacher who repeats them, but that of the God who makes known his own gospel grace: "Incline your ear, and come to me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you—the sure mercies of David" (Is 55:3). Here, then, we find—first—two saving precepts, to hear and to come. Then we have, for each precept, a saving promise, each of which Spurgeon explores with spiritual sensitivity and experiential insight. Then, broadening his scope to embrace the direction and tone of the whole chapter, we come to the saving pleadings, the Lord God himself calling on sinners to come, and removing all obstacles and addressing all objections. Spurgeon really climbs inside his text, and makes the voice of God his own, not with the intention of clouding the call of the Lord, but of ensuring that it is indeed Jehovah's voice alone which the congregation hears, and God alone to whom the congregation responds.

This sermon examines the life of King Amaziah to illustrate the destructive power of pride when it resists divine correction. While Amaziah initially demonstrates faithfulness by obeying God and trusting Him over human alliances, his character is ultimately defined by his refusal to abandon the idols of Edom. The central theological argument posits that Amaziah's downfall stems not merely from his idolatry, but from his arrogant rejection of God's prophetic counsel, which leads to his military defeat and eventual assassination by his own subjects. The message serves as a pastoral warning that while God is gracious in offering forgiveness, persistent pride invites judgment and humiliation. Listeners are encouraged to embrace humility through the understanding of the Gospel, recognizing that self-submission to God is far preferable to being broken by His discipline.

The Levites served at Jerusalem's temple as gatekeepers, caretakers of its vessels and supplies, bakers, and singers, each with trusted responsibilities. Study and transcript: https://sharonrpc.org/devotions/1-chronicles-9-17-34-your-whole-life-for-jesus

Please pray for the open air on the Stockton High Street, Thursdays at 11:30 am.

On this Let's Talk Pastor Rocky Stevenson of Benoni Bible Church is joined with Bill Jack from Worldview Academy in the USA, and they discuss and explore the biblical mandate for Christians to question authority and engage in critical thinking, contrasting this with secular educational models that often discourage inquiry. It introduces four foundational questions—clarifying meaning, establishing authority, assessing life impact, and considering consequences—that serve as practical tools for evangelism and apologetics. The discussion emphasizes the importance of applying theological truth in real-world contexts, such as college campuses, to effectively share the gospel. By framing believers as both priests and kings, the message encourages a confident yet humble approach to dialogue, where the goal is to plant seeds of truth rather than demand immediate conversion. The tone is instructional and encouraging, urging listeners to move beyond passive belief to active, reasoned engagement with the world.