Mark Hogan teaches on the biblical duty of church members to honor, esteem, and respectfully submit to their pastors and elders. He clarifies that this is a relational superiority, not ontological—pastors are not infallible and can be questioned appropriately, but they deserve genuine respect for their Christ-delegated role and sacrificial labor. Drawing from Exodus 20:12, Exodus 22:28, 1 Corinthians 4:1, Philippians 2:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, 1 Timothy 5:17, Hebrews 13:17, and 1 Peter 5:5, Hogan emphasizes that elders are to be recognized, esteemed very highly for their work's sake, and obeyed with a willing attitude and action. The motive for this civil esteem is sacred—it arises from honoring Christ and keeping a good conscience before God. Hogan warns against both idolizing pastors and dismissing them, and notes that a church's grace is revealed when pastors are held in high regard. The application is for members to cultivate a humble, obedient mindset toward their leaders, while understanding that elders themselves are accountable to God and will be judged for their faithfulness.

Mental sloth It is from the deceit of sin that the mind is spiritually slothful, by which it becomes negligent of this duty. The principal discharge of the mind's trust in this matter is expressed by "watching," which is the great caution that the Lord Jesus gave to His disciples in reference to all their dangers from sin and Satan. "I say unto all, Watch" (Mar 13:37). That is, use your utmost diligence and carefulness so that you are not surprised and entangled with temptations.

Please consider how you can be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ through your financial support to the continued work of His Church in this time. Contributions can be made by PayPal by visiting our website ( faithbiblepres.org ) or by mailing your contribution to: Faith Bible Presbyterian Church 3001 Marian Dr. Trenton Mi 48183 "The Pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both." ~ John Calvin (July 10, 1509 - May 27, 1564). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~ NKJV John 10:27 "Satan's greatest success is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare" ~ John Owen (1616 - August 1683). "For the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ." ~ NKJV Rev. 1:9 Fᴀɪᴛʜ Bɪʙʟᴇ Pʀᴇsʙʏᴛᴇʀɪᴀɴ Cʜᴜʀᴄʜ ~ Tʀᴜᴇ Worship & Aᴜᴛʜᴇɴᴛɪᴄ Fᴇʟʟᴏᴡsʜɪᴘ ~ Faith Bible Presbyterian Church is a Bible believing and Christ honoring church that is committed to teaching|preaching the Word of God with diligence and authority. We stand for the historic Christian faith, and we welcome you to our services of worship. Won't you join us? faithbiblepres.org

In this exposition of Mark 1:40-45, we encounter a desperate leper who approaches Jesus with nothing but his uncleanness and a plea: "If you will, you can make me clean." What follows is a profound picture of the gospel—Jesus, moved with compassion, stretches out His hand, touches the untouchable, and declares, "I will; be clean." This sermon explores the heart of Christ: His willingness to save, His power to cleanse completely, and His gracious authority that calls us to obedience. Through the leper's story, we see how Jesus reverses the curse of sin, bears our exclusion, and restores sinners to fellowship with God. Whether you feel distant from God because of past failures, lingering shame, or repeated weakness, this message proclaims hope: Christ does not recoil from the unclean—He draws near. Key Themes: • Jesus' compassion for the undeserving • Complete cleansing from sin (not partial or probationary) • The cost of grace and the call to obedient faith • How the gospel welcomes those who feel unworthy If you've ever wondered, "Can God still welcome someone like me?" this sermon will encourage your soul and point you to the Willing Savior. Ideal for believers seeking assurance, those battling shame or guilt, and anyone exploring the true meaning of forgiveness in Christ. Listen now to discover how grace changes everything—from desperate appeal to decisive deliverance—and how Christ's work on the cross makes true restoration possible.

Please consider how you can be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ through your financial support to the continued work of His Church in this time. Contributions can be made by PayPal by visiting our website ( faithbiblepres.org ) or by mailing your contribution to: Faith Bible Presbyterian Church 3001 Marian Dr. Trenton Mi 48183 "The Pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both." ~ John Calvin (July 10, 1509 - May 27, 1564). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~ NKJV John 10:27 "Satan's greatest success is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare" ~ John Owen (1616 - August 1683). "For the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ." ~ NKJV Rev. 1:9 Fᴀɪᴛʜ Bɪʙʟᴇ Pʀᴇsʙʏᴛᴇʀɪᴀɴ Cʜᴜʀᴄʜ ~ Tʀᴜᴇ Worship & Aᴜᴛʜᴇɴᴛɪᴄ Fᴇʟʟᴏᴡsʜɪᴘ ~ Faith Bible Presbyterian Church is a Bible believing and Christ honoring church that is committed to teaching|preaching the Word of God with diligence and authority. We stand for the historic Christian faith, and we welcome you to our services of worship. Won't you join us? faithbiblepres.org

When sin is resisted by prayer, it puts forth its deceit in its own defense. It labors to divert and draw off the mind from attending to prayer and similar duties. There are, among others, three ways and means by which sin attempts to accomplish its design. a. Weariness of the flesh Indwelling sin makes advantage of its weariness to the flesh. There is an aversion, as has been declared, in the law of sin toward all direct communion with God.

The ground of this efficacy of sin by deceit is taken from the faculty of the soul affected with it. Deceit properly affects the mind; it is the mind that is deceived. When sin attempts any other way of entrance into the soul, as for example by the affections, the mind—retaining its right and sovereignty—is able to give check and control to it. But where the mind is tainted, the prevalence of sin must be great, for the mind or understanding is the leading faculty of the soul.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details:

Title: Commands to be holy: How is this consistent with free grace?

Subtitle: On The Holy Spirit

Speaker: John Owen

Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan

Event: Audiobook

Date: 11/30/2025

Length: 23 min.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details:

Title: Hinderances to Our Conformity to the Divine Nature

Subtitle: On The Holy Spirit

Speaker: John Owen

Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan

Event: Sunday Service

Date: 11/29/2025

Length: 15 min.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details:

Title: Necessity of Holiness From the Consideration of the Nature of God

Subtitle: On The Holy Spirit

Speaker: John Owen

Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan

Event: Audiobook

Date: 11/29/2025

Length: 35 min.