Spirits on SermonAudio

This sermon addresses the tension between personal calling to missions and the lack of institutional support, urging believers to trust God's directive over human approval. It highlights the disproportionate focus of modern missionary efforts on accessible regions rather than the unreached 10-40 window, using historical figures like William Carey and Hudson Taylor as examples of those who answered God's call despite opposition. The central argument is that the Great Commission is a divine command that compels individual responsibility, supported by the love of Christ and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Listeners are challenged to view the church's role as offensive rather than defensive, actively pursuing the evangelization of the world to fulfill the Great Commission. The message concludes with a convicting appeal to reject complacency and embrace the urgency of sharing the gospel with those who have not yet heard.

The sermon explores the concept of excitement in evangelism by analyzing the Greek word for rejoice in Luke 1:47, which implies jumping for joy. It argues that believers should maintain a youthful energy and passion for sharing the gospel, drawing strength from Christ rather than relying on their own abilities. The message outlines ten key aspects of this excitement, including exalting God, practicing charity, walking in integrity, embracing new converts, and trusting in God's mercy and the promise of eternity. It addresses the challenge of rejection by citing Paul and Barnabas, emphasizing that the believer's role is to deliver the truth while the Holy Spirit performs the work of conviction. The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging the audience to view evangelism as an urgent and joyful responsibility to warn others and share the free gift of salvation.

The sermon examines the doctrine of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, distinguishing it from the separate experience often taught in charismatic circles. It argues that the biblical baptism of the Spirit occurs at salvation, indwelling the believer and washing away sin, rather than serving as a subsequent empowerment for special gifts. The speaker critiques the blurring of doctrinal lines that leads to false assumptions, using examples from cultural debates to illustrate how confusion can be manipulated. By analyzing Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 12-13, the text posits that the sign gifts of the Spirit, such as tongues and prophecy, were necessary for the validation of the infant church but have ceased as the church matured into the fullness of Scripture. The presentation concludes that while the Holy Spirit remains active, the specific miraculous signs associated with the early church are no longer required for believers today.

This study explores the profound reality of believers possessing all spiritual blessings in heavenly places through their union with Christ. It contrasts the transient nature of material prosperity with the eternal security of God's spiritual gifts, emphasizing that these blessings are irrevocable and comprehensive. The exposition highlights the source of these blessings in the Father, the means in the Son, and the application by the Spirit, covering past election, present redemption, and future inheritance. The tone is triumphant and pastoral, encouraging believers to find their identity and sufficiency in Christ rather than in worldly circumstances. The message concludes with an exhortation to respond with praise and to set one's affections on eternal things, recognizing that the Christian's true wealth is secure in glory.

Galatians 3:1-9 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 6 ¶ Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Isaiah 11 points to Jesus Christ, the Righteous Branch from the line of David. Dave Jenkins explains how this Spirit-anointed King rules with perfect justice, gathers His people from the nations, and will bring peace and restoration to all creation. For more from Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/reading-the-bible-daily-with-dave/

John Owen's Works, Volume 3 (Pneumatologia), provides a foundational, Spirit-centered defense of Christian theology that spans the Holy Spirit's distinct personhood, His work in Christ, regeneration, sanctification, and eternal election. Driven by a desire to defend the Spirit's deity against rationalist attacks while rescuing His internal ministry from both formal neglect and fanatical claims, Owen demonstrates that redemption applied by the Spirit is as essential as redemption accomplished by Christ. Through key insights—such as total depravity's darkening of the unregenerate mind (prefiguring presuppositional apologetics over Common Sense realism), the Spirit-wrought use of the means of grace in an awakened sinner without falling into preparationism, the absolute necessity of ongoing actual grace alongside habitual grace for every holy act, and a matured view of mortification—Owen roots all Christian growth in sovereign grace. By grounding these doctrines in both the election of believers unto holiness and the real-world conversion of Augustine, Owen establishes that true Christian living is an unceasing, Spirit-empowered work from initiation to final perseverance.

Preached in Hanley, England, UK

Pastor Don's Books: https://ttwpress.com 2825 - https://www.thetruthpulpit.com