Spirits on SermonAudio

The Canons of Dort Head 5: The Perseverance of the Saints ARTICLE 4 Man in the weakness of his flesh must be watchful and prayerful that he will not reject the influence that God exerts in his life, and thereby fall into great sin. Although the saints backslide, they are not ultimately lost (cf. David and Peter). Although the weakness of the flesh cannot prevail against the power of God, who confirms and preserves true believers in a state of grace, yet converts are not always so influenced and actuated by the Spirit of God as not in some particular instances sinfully to deviate from the guidance of divine grace, so as to be seduced by and to comply with the lusts of the flesh; they must, therefore, be constant in watching and prayer, that they may not be led into temptation. When these are neglected, they are not only liable to be drawn into great and heinous sins by the flesh, the world, and Satan, but sometimes by the righteous permission of God actually are drawn into these evils. This, the lamentable fall of David, Peter, and other saints described in Holy Scripture, demonstrates.

The sermon argues that the cure for church division is not found in cultural relevance or human wisdom, but exclusively in the preeminence of Jesus Christ and His crucifixion. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 2, the speaker contrasts Paul's method of preaching with the Corinthian desire for eloquent rhetoric, emphasizing that true ministry relies on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than worldly appeal. The central message asserts that a church focused on activities or social success without the clear proclamation of the gospel becomes spiritually weak and indistinguishable from secular organizations. By examining the Trinitarian framework of Paul's approach, the text highlights that divine wisdom is hidden from the world but revealed to believers through the eternal plan of the Father. Ultimately, the preacher calls for a return to the foundational priority of exalting Christ as the sole source of spiritual strength and unity.

The snake, (serpent), is the symbol, that God uses throughout Scripture, for Sin! The father of lies, has thousands of snakes, false doctrines, or false prophets to deceive mankind! In Scripture, Christians are shown the proper handling of snakes, false doctrines! Thus, when God Speaks of handling snakes, He is speaking of metaphorical discernment of unScriptural doctrines, and false prophets; NOT physically handling real snakes!

Continuing his series in the Gospel of John, Pastor Rockhill brings the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well to its climax in John 4:25-30. His central burden is to display how Christ patiently, compassionately, and deliberately draws a guilty, hardened sinner to faith, breaking down her resistance until she rests in Him alone. As the woman deflects to the coming Messiah, Pastor Rockhill traces both the Samaritan hope of a prophet like Moses and the Jewish longing for a Davidic king. He shows that both expectations were partial, and that the full witness of Scripture presents the Messiah as prophet, priest, and king. Even more, when Jesus declares, "I who speak to you am He," He uses the covenant name of God—the great I AM—revealing Himself not merely as the anointed one but as the Lord Himself, come in the flesh to offer the living water of the Spirit and the forgiveness of sins. Pastor Rockhill dwells on the woman's transformation: her shame lifted, her guilt washed away, she leaves her water pot behind and runs to invite her city, "Come, see a man." This, he explains, is the fruit of Spirit-wrought conviction—sin exposed, then grace freeing the sinner to live boldly. The application is warm and evangelistic. Believers cannot compel anyone to Christ; they can only point others to Him and trust the Spirit to work. Pastor Rockhill urges every hearer to humble themselves, call on Christ, and, freed from condemnation, joyfully share the gospel with those around them, all to the glory of God alone.

The sermon establishes Jesus Christ as the all-sufficient Savior for every aspect of the Christian life, countering false teachings that demand additional spiritual practices. Drawing from Colossians 1:1-13, the preacher highlights a model prayer that affirms the truth, fruitfulness, and substance of the gospel. The message emphasizes that the gospel produces faith, love, and good works, serving as the foundational source for sanctification rather than merely the starting point for salvation. By tracing these blessings to the Father's grace, the Son's redemption, and the Spirit's application, the text urges believers to rest entirely in Christ. Ultimately, the sermon calls the audience to imitate Paul's gospel-centered mindset, rejecting human traditions in favor of the complete sufficiency found in Jesus.

The sermon exhorts believers to sow righteousness through consistent church attendance, prayer, and scripture study to reap God's abundant mercy. It identifies pride as the primary obstacle to spiritual growth, manifesting in attitudes of superiority regarding skills, knowledge, and position. The preacher contrasts this hardened heart with a teachable spirit, illustrating how brokenness removes barriers and invites divine favor. By peeling away layers of self-reliance, individuals can cultivate humility and allow God to work deeply within their lives. The central message urges the audience to abandon prideful resistance and embrace a posture of repentance and dependence on grace.

This confession addresses the struggle with discouragement and depression by examining the psalmist's fight against despair in Psalms 42 and 43. It emphasizes that emotions often deceive believers into feeling abandoned by God, necessitating a conscious decision to question one's own spirit rather than succumbing to self-pity. Drawing on Martin Lloyd-Jones, the message outlines three steps for spiritual recovery: questioning the soul, exhorting it to trust in God, and clinging to His faithful promises. The preacher encourages listeners to actively preach truth to themselves using specific scriptures like Romans 8:28 and Psalm 23:4 to combat feelings of hopelessness. Ultimately, the central message is that restoring hope requires intentionally shifting focus from circumstances to God's character and faithfulness.

After explaining his desire for his people, Paul now goes on to say what he knows will be offensive to the Jews. They were taught that they were a special people in all the earth, because they were descended from Abraham. Paul is going to point out "not all of Israel is of Israel." Paul has been leading up to this by saying the true children of Abraham are the ones who share the faith of Abraham and the true Jews are the ones who are circumcised in the heart and not just the flesh. Now he is going to explain how it can go so badly for Israelites. Ten of the tribes were scattered by the Assyrians. Most of the other two tribes were killed, but a small remnant went to Babylon. Only a few of them came back and then they were never reestablished as an independent people. The logical question after Paul saying "all things work together for good for the who love God, to those that are called according to His purposes" is Israelites are the called out people of God and things don't seem to work very well for them. Paul's response to that question is you don't understand who the true Israel of God. It is not those of the type. It is those of the antetype. Those who were of the seed of Abraham who is Christ. It is only Isaac and not Ishmael or Keturah's children that have Abraham as their father. It is only the one God gives for that purpose and not those of the flesh like Ishmael. It is according to the calling of the Spirit and not the works of the flesh.

Genesis 6:1-13 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 3 ¶ And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 4 ¶ There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. 5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 ¶ And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 8 ¶ But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11 ¶ The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13 ¶ And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.