Spirits on SermonAudio

The sermon addresses the reality of life's difficulties by categorizing their sources into uncontrollable circumstances, personal choices, and divine purposes for spiritual maturity. Drawing primarily from Nehemiah chapter five, the speaker illustrates how believers must distinguish between external pressures like inflation and internal failures caused by sin. The central message emphasizes that while some problems are inevitable, others result from poor decisions or serve to refine character through discipline and discipleship. Believers are urged to acknowledge God as the ultimate problem solver and rely on His Word, prayer, and the Holy Spirit for guidance. Ultimately, the text calls for right choices rooted in trust in Christ to navigate trials and fulfill God's purpose.

Come join us in worshiping the only true and living God, Father, Son, and Spirit! With singing and the reading of his word with Romans 8:1-4.

Why is there something instead of nothing?

In this sermon from Exodus 20, Matt Sikes examines the Third Commandment: "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." This commandment reaches far beyond simply avoiding careless uses of God's name. Because God's name is inseparably connected to who He is, believers are called to honor, reverence, and rightly represent Him in every area of life. The sermon explores the many ways Christians can profane God's name—in our thoughts, our prayers and praises, our words about God, our worship, and our outward actions. Taking God's name in vain includes empty or faithless prayer, careless speech, misusing Scripture, speaking falsely in God's name, hypocritical worship, and professing to know God while denying Him by our lives. The Third Commandment also positively requires believers to hallow God's name. Christians should speak of Him with reverence, worship Him sincerely, honor His Word, proclaim His truth, praise His works, and live lives of holiness that match their profession of faith. Ultimately, this commandment drives us to Jesus Christ. Every believer falls far short of perfectly honoring God's name, but Christ never once profaned the Father's name. He perfectly fulfilled this commandment, bore the penalty for His people's sin, and came to make the Father's name known. Through union with Christ, God places His name upon His people and enables them by His Spirit to live for His glory.

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalms 119:130) *1/ God's word. 2/ The entrance of God's word. 3/ The entrance known by what it gives - Light and understanding.* **Sermon summary:** The sermon emphasizes the necessity of deeply internalizing Scripture rather than merely reading it as a duty. It establishes the divine origin and authority of the Bible, arguing that its truth is confirmed by historical accuracy and fulfilled prophecy. The preacher illustrates how the Word enters into the world through missionary work. It then enters the heart by the Holy Spirit applying the word preached or read. This spiritual entrance results in two primary blessings: illumination of sin and Christ, and the granting of spiritual understanding to the simple. Ultimately, the text calls believers to actively seek this transformative encounter with God's Word for their eternal benefit.

Proposition: Because by nature, we are enslaved to Satan, Jesus, our king, came to defeat him and to set us free so that we would be grateful and prepared for spiritual battle. 1. The Debate Over Jesus' Authority (vv. 14-20) 2. The Parable of the Victorious Plunderer (vv. 21-23) 3. The Parable of the Return of the Unclean Spirit (vv. 24-26) Lessons - See the great harm that the devil seeks to do and be prepared - Half-hearted conversion is very dangerous - Praise God for our Mighty Saviour

The verse that we are looking at is clear. The apostle Paul insists that regular prayer must be offered up for God's preaching servants so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, they may boldly make known the mystery of the gospel. I want to show you why this is necessary. 1st of all – It is necessary because utterance doesn't come to preachers automatically. 2nd – Because true holy boldness is the work of God's Spirit. And 3rd – Because the gospel has mysteries attached to it.