Ichabod (1 Samuel 4:19-22) When the Glory Has Departed The glory of God had left Israel already, before the ark was taken. Here is a challenging and sobering sermon for Christ's people to listen to.

In the series Living with Hope in a Hostile World, How Christ Transforms the Home – Part Two 1 Peter 3:7 delivers a powerful charge to Christian husbands. This message calls men to dwell with their wives with understanding, to honor them as the weaker vessel, and to treat them as co-heirs of the grace of life. Far more than mere duty, this is a call to compassionate leadership and sacrificial love that reflects Christ. The sermon also delivers a sobering warning: failing to honor one's wife can hinder a husband's prayers. A timely and convicting word on how godly manhood transforms the home.

The sermon exhorts believers to adopt the same mindset as Christ by actively putting sin to death in their fleshly nature. This spiritual discipline frees Christians from worldly lusts, enabling them to pursue God's will with greater freedom and focus. As believers live out this transformed life, they become a light that confronts the world, often provoking slander from those who reject the gospel. The ultimate goal is to shine brightly for God until Christ returns, requiring sober-mindedness and constant prayer. Believers are called to remain vigilant against sin so their witness remains unhindered by their old nature.

This sermon explores the biblical mandate for Christian endurance through trials, emphasizing that believers must distinguish between suffering caused by personal wrongdoing and suffering endured for their faith in Christ. Drawing from 1 Peter 4, it argues that while Christians should avoid self-inflicted hardships, they are called to glorify God when persecuted for righteousness. The message highlights God's just character in refining His people through judgment and His faithful nature as a Creator who ordains trials for spiritual growth. Believers are exhorted to entrust their souls to this dependable God, maintaining hope and obedience despite difficulties. Ultimately, the text serves as both a comfort for the afflicted and a sobering reminder of the eternal consequences for those who reject the gospel.

This sermon explores the benefits of wisdom within a fallen and transient world, drawing primarily from Ecclesiastes chapter seven. Confronting mortality and resisting negative influences cultivates a sober perspective essential for spiritual growth. Rev Wontrop argues that self-control and patience are vital virtues for navigating life's unpredictability while remaining faithful to God's sovereignty. Wisdom is presented not merely as practical advice but as a protective force that provides defense, rest, and true life. Ultimately, the message points to Jesus Christ as the embodiment of divine wisdom, urging believers to seek Him above all else for eternal profit and grace.

The sermon emphasizes the biblical command to be sober-minded, interpreting sobriety as both physical abstinence from intoxicants and spiritual alertness against false doctrine. Drawing primarily from 1 Peter and Titus, the preacher argues that believers must reject worldly influences and cultural shifts that compromise scriptural truth. The message warns against the dangers of spiritual drunkenness, linking modern moral decay and theological corruption to the influence of Babylon described in Revelation. It asserts that sound doctrine requires serious adherence to Scripture rather than private interpretation or cultural accommodation. Ultimately, the teaching calls for personal holiness and reliance on God's grace to maintain faithfulness in a corrupt world.

Time to be Sober Minded: America at 250. We are joined by James Spencer (President, D.L. Moody Center). Topics discussed include: The Myth of the Guaranteed Empire. The "God is on Our Side" Myth. The King Josiah Illusion. Living Drunk vs Standing Sober.

When the Ark is Taken (1 Sam. 4:12-18) This sermon examines the tragic fall of Eli and the capture of the Ark in 1 Samuel 4 to warn against spiritual complacency and late repentance. The preacher highlights how Eli's failure to address sin within his own house mirrors the modern church's tendency to mourn external threats while ignoring internal holiness. By analyzing the messenger's grief and the city's outcry, the text emphasizes that true godliness requires proactive reverence for God's presence rather than passive concern for reputation or comfort. The narrative serves as a sobering reminder that length of service does not excuse negligence, urging believers to prioritize the glory of God above all else. Ultimately, the passage points to Christ as the greater fulfillment of God's presence, offering hope and cleansing through His sacrifice despite human failure.