Spirits on SermonAudio

How can Christians determine whether a spiritual experience, dream, impression, or supernatural claim is truly from God? In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins explains why every spiritual experience must be evaluated by the authoritative and sufficient Word of God. First John 4:1 commands believers to test the spirits, while 1 Thessalonians 5:21 instructs Christians to test everything and hold fast to what is good. Christians are called neither to accept every spiritual claim nor to reject everything automatically. They are called to exercise careful, Scripture-governed discernment. This episode considers the sufficiency of Scripture, the danger of treating personal experience as the highest authority, the example of the Bereans, and three practical tests Christians can use when evaluating spiritual claims. Experiences may be powerful and emotionally meaningful, but Scripture alone is the final authority for Christian faith and practice. For more from Anchored in the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/anchored-in-the-wordpage/

CASE 3. A serious person, who scruples to comply with the usual practice of playing cards, desires to know whether  these scruples arise from a needless tenderness of conscience, or from the faithful admonitions of the Spirit of God.

The Spirit's Work The central truths of this message is that the Holy Spirit makes all the difference between merely hearing about Jesus and truly seeing, receiving, believing, loving, and following Him. In John 14–18, on the final night before the cross, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure by promising "another Helper," the Spirit of truth. Jesus had been their Teacher, Comforter, and Guide beside them; after His death, resurrection, and ascension, the Spirit, who dwelled among them would now dwell within them, continue Christ's work among them, and above all glorify Jesus. The world's problem is deeper than a lack of information. Jesus says the world cannot receive the Spirit because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. Humanity is spiritually blind and hard-hearted. We cannot circumcise our own hearts, remove our own heart of stone, give ourselves spiritual sight, or raise ourselves from spiritual death. Those are works only God can accomplish. The Spirit opens what sin has closed. He reveals Christ, changes the heart, redirects our affections, and enables us to respond to Jesus in faith and repentance. That helps explain Jesus' promise, "The world will see Me no more, but you will see Me." The Spirit makes Christ known to His people. Being part of the Body of Christ is not merely knowing facts about a historical Jesus; it is knowing the risen Christ, being joined to Him, and living because He lives. When the Spirit reveals Jesus, what we see changes who and what we love, and who and what we love changes how we live. Jesus becomes more valuable than family approval, social acceptance, position, comfort, or reputation. John 12 gives a sobering example of th

The sermon contrasts the faithful prophet Micaiah with the false prophets who flattered King Ahab, illustrating the danger of aligning with evil. It highlights how God allowed a lying spirit to deceive Ahab's court, leading to his death as a consequence of his wicked alliances. The narrative serves as a warning against fearing man or seeking comfort in lies rather than facing the uncomfortable truth of God's word. Ultimately, the message points to Jesus Christ as the one who absorbs God's judgment on behalf of believers, freeing them from fear and ensuring their safety.

Street preaching on the Stockton High Street: The message emphasises the absolute necessity of being born again through the Holy Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God, contrasting human inability with divine grace. It highlights that all people are sinners who fall short of God's holy standard and cannot be saved by their own works or religious efforts. The central message focuses on Jesus Christ as the sole mediator who bore the wrath of God for believers, offering eternal life through faith alone. The preacher urges listeners to abandon trust in their own righteousness and place their confidence entirely in the finished work of Christ. Ultimately, the text presents salvation as a gift received by believing in the Son of God, resulting in forgiveness and eternal life rather than condemnation.

Matt Slick Live (Live Broadcast of 08/20/2026) is a production of the Christian Apologetics Research Ministry (CARM). Matt answers questions on topics such as: The Bible, Apologetics, Theology, World Religions, Atheism, and other issues! You can also email questions to Matt using: [email protected], Put "Radio Show Question" in the Subject line! Answers will be discussed in a future show. Topics Include: What is "The Last Days" all about?/ What About Suicide? Can Christians do This?/ Can we Talk to our Passed Love Ones?/ Is Tithing Mandatory?/ Not Attending a "Trans" Celebration Event?/ What are the 7 Spirits and the 7 Lampstands of Revelation?/Why do People See "Familiar Spirits?"/ Are Christians the "Body" of Christ?/ August 20, 2026

4:01 Does the Bible call us to apologize to others as well as repent to God? 7:00 Is it okay to attend two different churches on a Sunday morning? 11:22 How should I confront my family that has allowed people in my family to be abused and victimized? 13:11 How do you get my child to see their need for Christ amidst ongoing disobedience? 19:55 Is pornography in a marriage unfaithfulness and grounds for divorce? 22:45 What will the Holy Spirit's role be in eternity? 27:48 What do you think about prominent pastors who step down and say they are now agnostic and atheist? 35:29 How do I find a balance between sharing the gospel and talking about everyday things with non-Christians? 39:58 What do you think about people who have an internet ordained pastor marry them? 42:43 What do we do with pastors who associate with speakers we don't agree with? 48:24 Did the Centurion who gave Jesus sour wine on the cross trying to disgrace him?

The sermon emphasizes the urgent necessity of personal and corporate holiness as the prerequisite for genuine revival and the rapture. Drawing primarily from Isaiah 64, the speaker contrasts modern superficial Christianity with the profound awe, brokenness, and weeping exhibited by biblical prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. The text argues that true spiritual power comes not from emotional manipulation or entertainment but from a deep reverence for God's holiness and submission to His will. It critiques contemporary evangelism for focusing on forgiveness without transformation and calls for a return to fasting, prayer, and sincere repentance. Ultimately, the message asserts that only through the consuming fire of the Holy Spirit can the church be purified and effectively witness to a lost world.

Dont step away from the spirit and walk in the flesh.