Spirits on SermonAudio

In Revelation 3:1-6, Jesus addresses the church in Sardis with one of the most sobering warnings given to any of the seven churches: "You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead." Sardis had become spiritually complacent, maintaining an outward appearance of life while lacking genuine spiritual vitality. Christ calls this church—and every church and believer today—to wake up, strengthen what remains, remember the gospel, keep His Word, and repent. Yet even in the midst of severe rebuke, Christ promises to preserve His faithful people, clothing them in white garments and confessing their names before the Father. This message challenges us to examine what lies beneath our outward religious appearance, to reject spiritual complacency and worldliness, and to remain watchful and faithful through the power of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, the church must not ask what the world thinks of her, but what Jesus Christ sees.

The Trinity is not a secondary doctrine or mere theological language. The Bible teaches that there is one true God who eternally exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains the biblical doctrine of the Trinity and why it is essential to the gospel and Christian worship. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Spiritual deception is real, and false teaching doesn't always look obviously dangerous. In 1 Timothy 4:1–5, Paul warns that some will depart from the faith by following deceptive spirits and false teachers. Their message may sound spiritual, but it contradicts God's Word and distorts the goodness of God's creation and the gospel. How can we recognize the counterfeit? By knowing the genuine article. God's Word exposes falsehood and reminds us that every good gift comes from our good Creator and is meant to be received with thanksgiving. Most importantly, salvation is not something we earn through religious performance or self-denial. False religion says DO; the gospel says DONE. False religion says ME; the gospel says JESUS.

The sermon uses the metaphor of heavenly citizenship to explain the believer's call to renounce earthly patterns of behavior and assimilate into the culture of Christ. It emphasizes that while believers have already been granted this new status, they must actively put to death sinful desires such as sexual immorality, anger, and slander. The preacher warns against using fear of God's wrath or legalistic regulations as motives for sanctification, arguing instead that faith in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit are the only effective means for mortifying sin. Unity within the church is highlighted as a critical evidence of this new identity, transcending all social and ethnic divisions. Ultimately, the message urges listeners to continuously pursue holiness by fixing their minds on the sufficiency and supremacy of Jesus.

Prayer is not merely a duty but a privilege that draws you into dependence on God and His sovereign power. When difficulties arise, you are called to seek Him with other believers, trusting His control rather than simply asking Him to remove your problems. Like the early church, pray for courage and boldness to remain faithful and advance Christ's kingdom. As you depend on the Holy Spirit, God equips you to face opposition and faithfully carry out the work He has given you.

Without a doubt-this parable should be the most applied scripture into the heart of every pastor who stands in pulpits across America today bringing God Word to thousands weekly. Perhaps we would see less false conversions and no manipulation used to get the numbers up in their news announcements. Because this passage explains to believers the true response of hearts to the Gospel of Jesus Christ . Perhaps we as believers need to understand that only God can plow a heart , it is not a natural thing to love God and that is exactly what God does to a heart, changing a heart of hate to a heart that loves God and truly want to worship Him.

Listen-in to today's This Day In The Word radio teaching broadcast, "Obedience in the Fire," and let's see what God's Word has to say.

One of the enduring elements of Spurgeon's public ministry, reflective of his private life, is his delight in and dependence on the Holy Spirit. He mentions him often, prays to him regularly, delights in him personally, and depends on him resolutely. He is a good guide for us, then, concerning intimate knowledge of the Holy Spirit. As often, Spurgeon is not afraid of his own experience, but his starting point and guiding principle is the Word of God, as he considers what it is to have the Holy Spirit dwelling with us and in us. I think that the personality and operations of the Holy Spirit is a fairly significant weak point in modern Reformed evangelicalism, perhaps because of an over-reaction to Charismatic excess, but I also wonder if we have downplayed his presence and influence because we do not know him very well. Whatever the case, Spurgeon is corrective and instructive as he guides us through the truth of John 14:17, helping us to understand who we know, and how, and what it means to have this intimacy with the Third Person of the Godhead. As one who needs him, and wants him more than I have him, I hope it will be a blessing to you.