Spirits on SermonAudio

Retreat Message 1 エペソ人への手紙4:1b-3 etc. Unity of the Church in the Spirit

The sermon explores the theme of perseverance in Christian life by examining Galatians 6 alongside Isaiah 40 and 2 Corinthians 4. It outlines specific virtues required for believers to walk without fainting, including sympathy for the fallen, humility, responsibility, liberality toward teachers, and purity through sowing to the Spirit. The preacher emphasizes that local church communities must bear one another's burdens while maintaining their own accountability before God. This holistic approach ensures that believers do not grow weary in doing good, trusting in the promise of a future harvest. Ultimately, the message calls for sustained ministry and support within the household of faith.

This Bible study examines the early church's radical generosity and unity as described in Acts, contrasting it with the severe judgment of Ananias and Sapphira for their hypocrisy. The apostles testified to the resurrection of Jesus Christ while believers shared resources voluntarily to meet each other's needs. The narrative shifts to the tragic consequences of envy and deceit when a couple attempts to mimic Barnabas's generosity while secretly retaining part of the proceeds. Peter confronts them, revealing that their lie was ultimately directed against the Holy Spirit, resulting in immediate divine judgment. The message underscores God's holiness and the necessity of sincere repentance, reminding listeners that abundant grace is available to those who confess their sins rather than hide behind false appearances.

Why does God use the weak and unworthy? Ephesians 3:7–9 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God uses the weak and unworthy to steward the gospel of the riches of the glory of God in Christ. The devotional expounds on Ephesians 3:7-9, revealing that God chose the most unworthy individual to demonstrate that the power of the gospel originates entirely from Him rather than human merit. It defines the 'mystery' as the eternal plan where God redeems a people for Himself and gives Himself to them, a truth hidden for ages but now revealed through Jesus Christ. The text emphasizes that spiritual gifts are not personal possessions but entrusted responsibilities given by God for the benefit of the church from all the nations. By highlighting Paul's transformation from persecutor to apostle, the message illustrates that believers are stewards of this infinite treasure, called to pass it on to others with humility and responsibility. The central intent is to comfort the faithful with God's sovereign grace while convicting them to faithfully dispense the gospel to their communities.

The sermon explores the cultural misunderstanding of judgment, clarifying that it is a holy attribute of God rather than an inherently negative concept. It distinguishes between condemnation, which drives individuals away from God through shame, and conviction, which draws believers toward repentance and change. Centered on Romans chapter 8, the message emphasizes that those in Christ Jesus face no condemnation but are called to walk after the Spirit rather than the flesh. This spiritual alignment is presented as the only path to true peace and the ability to please God, contrasting with the futility of carnal living. The preacher urges listeners to surrender their self-centered desires to find rest and guidance in God's sovereign care.

Jesus Christ delivers sinners from deception, fear, and bondage through the saving power of the gospel. Doreen Virtue explains why the message that "Jesus loves you" or "Jesus died for your sins" must be understood within the Bible's teaching about sin, judgment, repentance, and reconciliation with God. Humanity's relationship with its Creator was broken through sin, and no human effort can restore it. Jesus lived a completely sinless life, bore the wrath sinners deserve on the cross, physically rose from the dead, and ascended to the right hand of the Father. Everyone who recognizes their sin, repents, and trusts in Christ is forgiven, reconciled to God, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit then sanctifies believers and produces His fruit in their lives. Through the gospel, Christ rescues His people from the deception of self-sufficiency and the bondage of attempting to live without God. This episode also encourages those unfamiliar with Scripture to begin reading the Gospel of John slowly and prayerfully. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Are monitoring spirits taught in Scripture? In this episode of NAR to Christ, Dawn Hill examines popular deliverance teachings concerning monitoring spirits and compares those claims with the Word of God. She considers teachings from Ryan LeStrange and Tiffany Buckner, including claims that monitoring spirits work through people, jealousy, procrastination, relationships, and other circumstances. Dawn explains why the biblical reality of Satan and spiritual warfare does not establish the modern doctrine of monitoring spirits. She also warns that such teaching can create fear, suspicion, and an unhealthy focus on demonic activity. Rather than demonizing people or interpreting ordinary struggles as evidence of demonic spirits, Christians are called to submit to God, resist the devil, trust God's sovereignty, and rest in the sufficiency of Scripture. Believers in Christ have been delivered from the domain of darkness, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and equipped by God to stand firm in biblical spiritual warfare. For more from Dawn Hill, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/dawn-hill/

Holiness is not a way for Christians to earn God's acceptance. It is the fruit of God's saving and transforming grace. In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins explains why holiness is essential for Christian living. He considers what it means to be set apart for God, why holiness must be distinguished from legalism, and how believers grow in Christlikeness through Scripture, repentance, obedience, and the work of the Holy Spirit. The pursuit of holiness flows from salvation rather than leading to salvation. The same Savior who justifies His people is also sanctifying them. For more from Anchored in the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/anchored-in-the-wordpage/