Spirits on SermonAudio

"Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap." –Malachi 3:1–2, ESV

This sermon provides a comprehensive review of the doctrine of the Trinity, establishing that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one God in three distinct persons. The speaker examines biblical evidence for each person's full divinity, citing passages such as John 1 and Acts 5 to demonstrate their equal status and divine attributes. The teaching then identifies and refutes common Trinitarian heresies, including modalism, Arianism, and partialism, by analyzing their logical inconsistencies against Scripture. Additionally, the sermon critiques flawed illustrations of the Godhead and warns against modern theological errors found in popular literature like The Shack. The central message urges believers to hold firmly to orthodox biblical theology to ensure proper worship and protect against deceptive teachings.

In this third message on the Spirit of adoption, Pastor Robert McNutt preaches from Romans 8:12-17, centering on verse 15: believers "did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but... the Spirit of adoption." Because the Spirit's convicting work of slavery always precedes adoption -- as Whitefield said, "there is no going to Mount Zion but by the way of Mount Sinai" -- McNutt traces Paul's argument from Romans 5 through 8 to show that peace with God and bondage cannot coexist, confirming it from Galatians 4:1-7 and 1 John 4:16-19. He then answers three challenges to that liberty. First, texts commanding fear (2 Corinthians 5:11; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 12:28-29) speak of reverence and awe grounded in love, not the torment of a slave; the Christian approaches a consuming fire with confidence (Hebrews 4:16) because the Judge has become his Father. Second, temperament, depression, and even backsliding do not return a believer to bondage: he sins against love, not law, and like David in Psalm 51 or the prodigal in Luke 15, he is driven home to a Father with open arms and the promise of 1 John 1:9. Third, satanic assault cannot impose the spirit of slavery, for the child of God is armed to resist and stand (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 1 John 4:4; Ephesians 6:10-20). McNutt closes by urging believers to stop walking around with a spirit of slavery they no longer possess, to live instead as adopted adult children with every right and privilege in Christ, trusting God's person, power, and promises -- and by calling the unconverted to the Savior who turns slaves into sons.

This sermon is the first in a series of messages dealing with the work of God the Holy Spirit as "the Spirit of Truth", taking the things of Christ and revealing them to those the Father chose and Christ redeemed by His obedience unto death. The subject of the series is "THE MIND OF CHRIST."

God the Father predestines. God the Son redeems by His blood. God the Spirit seals and is given as an earnest deposit toward the day of redemption. Salvation is secure in the Godhead.

SUMMARY: where we're at in Romans & where we're going in this passage RELEVANCE: why does this matter to me? THEME: You cry "Abba! Father!" because you already are a child of God: led by the Spirit, adopted into the family, and never left to cry it alone. THE EVIDENCE: YOU ARE LED (V. 14) THE TESTIMONY: YOU CRY "ABBA! FATHER!" (v.15) THE SECOND WITNESS: THE SPIRIT SAYS IT WITH YOU (V. 16)

The sermon calls believers to pursue entire consecration, defining it as a lifelong process of being set apart for God's purpose through the power of the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes that while justification delivers one from the penalty of sin, sanctification is an ongoing journey where Christians are delivered from its power and will eventually be freed from its presence. Drawing on Romans 6 and Hebrews 12, the message encourages the audience to view holiness as a marathon rather than a sprint, relying on spiritual weapons and the example of Jesus Christ to overcome sin. The preacher assures listeners that their sanctification is guaranteed by God's promise and sustained through daily engagement with Scripture and prayer. Ultimately, the sermon urges a total surrender of life, will, and resources to God, affirming that He supplies the grace necessary to fulfill His command to be holy.

ONE ACCORD. Acts 2:1–4:Acts 1:14; 2:42–47; 4:31–33; Philippians 2:1–5 KJV Acts 2:1 tells us that when Pentecost came, the disciples were "all with one accord in one place." This KJV-centered message examines the spiritual power of a church united around Jesus Christ, prayer, the Gospel, and a common mission. Biblical unity does not require identical personalities or preferences; it requires God's people to surrender those differences to a purpose greater than themselves. From Acts 1, 2, and 4, we see believers praying together, serving together, witnessing boldly, caring for one another, and reaching people with the Gospel. As Bethel Crossroads prepares for revival, the challenge is personal: What could God do if we stopped pulling against one another and all pulled in the same direction? Church, maybe we don't need more horsepower. Maybe we need one direction. Maybe we don't need another program. Maybe we need one purpose. Maybe we don't need everybody to become alike. Maybe we need everybody looking toward Jesus.