Spirits on SermonAudio

Question 3 of the Gospel Way Catechism: Who does God reveal himself to be? The answer: He is the Lord, the great I AM, one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Spirit. He is the Creator and Ruler of all that is, seen and unseen. In this episode, we explore the identity of the one true God and what it means that he has revealed himself as Father, Son, and Spirit. We discuss how the Christian understanding of God stands in contrast to a world that often views life as meaningless or encourages us to create our own truth and purpose. Because God is our Creator and Ruler, our lives have lasting meaning, purpose, and security in him.

In this section Paul is differentiating between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of Men. Humans do not naturally trust God, in fact, those who do trust God are in the stark minority. To a secular humanist trusting God is at best a concept and to most​, it is an absurdity. Paul starts the section by stressing the need for spiritual maturity but concludes the Corinthians have regressed into spiritual babies who are retarding their growth and keeping themselves from experiencing the power of God available to spiritual grown ups. Their jealousy, strife, and division demonstrates a carnality that is keeping them as spiritual babies. While everyone starts out as a baby, we certainly do not want to stay there. The goal is to be mature, grown up believer​s who ​h​ave allowed the Spirit of God to make them useful ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.

The sermon examines the anointing of Saul in 1 Samuel 10, contrasting his limited vial of oil with the Spirit without measure given to Jesus Christ. It interprets three prophetic signs given to Saul as reminders to trust God for provision and victory over enemies. The preacher argues that believers share in this anointing through union with Christ, receiving sufficient grace for their duties. While Saul ultimately failed by trusting himself, the text points to Christ as the true King who fulfills all spiritual needs. The message encourages believers to rely on the Holy Spirit rather than their own strength.

How can one know that God loves and cares for His children? In this sermon on Psalm 63:1–3 titled "Seeking Certainty," Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims that Christians can know this by trusting in God's revelation of Jesus Christ. A Christian that is maturing in their faith is one who rests on what Christ has done for them. This mature faith produces assurance that is not simply a passing emotion that comes and goes, but it is an abiding and true experience knowing they belong to God. That belonging is proven in a life of humble obedience. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones also warns against those who teach an assurance of bare intellectual assent. They say that to simply claim that one believes in Christ and His gospel is all that is needed of assurance. This is shown to be inadequate from the many scriptural passages that show the deep and loving trust that the saints of God can have in the gospel. This is an intimate and personal knowledge that God loves them and has sent his Son to die a cruel death on the cross so that they could be saved. This is certainly intellectual assent to the gospel, but it is more. It is the product of the Holy Spirit working in their lives so that they trust God and His promises in true faith. This should be an experience that all Christians seek and obtain.

What do those who are entering life do? Mark 9:43–50 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who are entering life are in the business of putting sin to death. The devotional examines Mark 9:43-50 to explain the dual nature of God's fire as both purifying for believers and condemning for the unsaved. It emphasizes that mortifying sin is not a means to earn salvation but evidence of genuine faith and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Pastor clarifies that hell involves eternal conscious punishment, described through imagery of unquenchable fire and an undying worm, representing inner agony. True sanctification is presented as a work completed by Christ, assuring believers of their ultimate glorification despite present struggles. The message calls listeners to rely on the Spirit's power to fight sin and rest in the certainty of God's preserving grace.

The sermon addresses the Christian's struggle with besetting sins by examining Romans 8:9-13 to outline a path toward spiritual victory. It identifies three critical realizations for believers: recognizing that they are no longer in debt to their sinful nature but are obligated to divine grace, understanding the deadly consequences of sin, and accepting the responsibility to put its misdeeds to death through the Holy Spirit. The preacher emphasizes practical steps including radical honesty about one's depravity, affirming death to sin's rule through Christ, and relying on the Spirit's power to replace temptation with fruitfulness. This approach rejects passive indifference or magical solutions in favor of active, grace-dependent sanctification. The central message encourages believers to walk in freedom and holiness by appropriating the provisions of redemption daily.

~~~~~~~ No 30 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~~~ **Considering 2 Peter 2:10 - 19** But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. ......... While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. *1/ The prominence the Holy Spirit has given in the Word, to warn of the danger of walking after the flesh. 2/ What is said in this text of their practices. 3/ The terrible end of those that walk after the flesh. 4/ How shall we escape being beguiled and allured.* **Sermon Summary:** This sermon issues a solemn warning against those who walk after the flesh and despise divine authority, drawing parallels between the teachings of 2 Peter, Jude, and Romans. The preacher emphasizes that believers must not remain neutral but must actively choose to walk after the Spirit rather than the flesh to avoid spiritual peril. Key themes include the deceptive nature of false teachers who feast within the church and the absolute necessity of being established in biblical truth to resist their allure. The message urges the congregation to mortify sinful deeds, maintain stability in God's word, and hate evil with urgency. Ultimately, it calls for a wholehearted commitment to holiness, relying on the Spirit for deliverance from the corruption of the world.

This devotional explores the Heidelberg Catechism's teaching on the Lord's Supper, clarifying that partaking in the sacrament requires a believing heart rather than mere ritual observance. It distinguishes between baptism as an initiating covenant sign and communion as a nourishing act dependent on active faith. The preacher explains that eating Christ's body signifies accepting His sacrifice through trust and being spiritually united to Him via the Holy Spirit. By examining passages from John 6, Romans 8, and Ephesians 4, the message emphasizes that true faith involves a deep, transformative union with Christ and the church. Ultimately, the Lord's Supper serves as a means of grace where the Spirit applies the benefits of redemption to believers.

John says we are literally called the children of God (1 John 3:1). Peter tells us we are a holy nation, a special possession, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). There is so much to being a child of God through salvation, that it requires us to contemplate it a good deal of the time. We need to study His Word to allow the Spirit to illuminate our thinking, which will transform the way we think and free us to live lives that please God without the struggles we often face when doing things in our own strength.

The devotional centers on the divine requirements for effective service—being chosen by God, anointed by the Holy Spirit, consecrated through separation, and properly prepared through time and training—illustrated through the life of a missionary who experienced repeated delays in pursuing his calling. Though initially discouraged by failed attempts to enter specific mission fields due to timing, qualifications, or institutional barriers, he learned that God's timing and preparation are essential, and that spiritual maturity must precede full-time service. The message emphasizes that while all believers are called to serve, the local church plays a vital role in discerning readiness, and that true calling is not thwarted by closed doors but fulfilled in God's appointed time. Ultimately, the sermon calls for patience, humility, and trust in God's sovereignty, urging believers to seek wisdom, remain in community, and avoid rushing into service before being fully prepared.