Spirits on SermonAudio

This is Spurgeon at his most heartfelt, delighting in grace and urging to holiness. Taking quite a substantial text, and holding fast to its substance and arrangement, he brings us face to face first of all with what we are by nature, what we once were in the evils of our minds, our pursuits, and our hearts. Here he urges us to tears of repentance as he ploughs up our souls. Then he considers what the Lord has done for us, ranging over the wonderful declarations of grace contained in the text, and stirring us up to grateful joy, considering not least the merciful works of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit toward us. Then he brings us to the practical punch, that we should be careful to maintain good works. Here he robustly dismisses any suggestion that this is mere legalistic preaching, making clear that to the unbeliever he calls not to good works, but to Christ only. The exhortation to live as a cheerful servant goes not to the slave but to the son, to those who have been redeemed by grace. Inaction here, careless or passive living, brings dishonour to the Lord who has saved us, and so we must embrace this "faithful saying," and show by our good fruit the sweetness of our new root.

Sent by God, Gathered by Grace The central truth of this message is that salvation and the mission both begin with the grace of God, are sustained by goodness of God, and will be fulfilled for the glory God. John 1 introduces John the Baptist as "a man sent from God." He was not the Light; he was sent to bear witness to the Light so that others might believe. That same pattern continues throughout redemption: the Father sends the Son, God sends His message, the Son sends His messengers, the Spirit opens hearts, and the Shepherd gathers His people (Acts 26:23; Luke 24) Jesus does not call us to lead Him through our lives; He calls us to "Follow Me." He is the Shepherd and we are the sheep. Genuine discipleship means allowing Jesus to continually redirect our thinking, desires, priorities, and steps. Eternal life gives us eternal light, enabling us to increasingly see life from God's perspective rather than the world's. John also explains why the world did not recognize Jesus and why it will sometimes fail to understand those who belong to Him. Spiritual truth requires spiritual revelation. First Corinthians 2 teaches that the rulers would not have crucified the Lord of glory had they truly known Him. Deuteronomy 30:6 shows that God must do something within the human heart—circumcise it—so that we can love Him and live. Salvation, therefore, is not merely improved behavior or inherited religion; it is new life produced by God. This makes John 1:12–13 especially important. Those who receive Christ and believe in His name become children of God, yet their new birth is "not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." We truly repent, believ

The early church in Jerusalem responds to threats from religious authorities by gathering to pray for boldness rather than protection. They acknowledge God's supreme sovereignty as Creator and recognize that the crucifixion of Jesus was part of His eternal plan, fulfilling Psalm 2. The believers pray for confidence to speak God's Word despite opposition and ask for miraculous signs to validate their message. God answers their prayer by shaking the place where they meet and filling them with the Holy Spirit. Empowered by this divine response, they go out to proclaim the gospel with renewed courage and authority.

The sermon exhorts ministers to move beyond intellectual cleverness and emotionalism to preach the Word of God anointed with the Holy Spirit's fire. Drawing primarily from Jeremiah 23, it contrasts false prophets who speak their own dreams with true messengers who stand in God's counsel and deliver His word with divine weight and power. The speaker argues that effective ministry requires personal intimacy with God to receive specific guidance for each congregation, rather than relying on cultural trends or numerical success. True preaching is characterized by a burning urgency within the preacher, resulting in sermons that penetrate hearts and produce genuine revival. Ultimately, only God can impart this spiritual fire, which purifies the church and validates the quality of pastoral work at the judgment seat of Christ.

~~~~~~~ No 26 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~~~ **Considering 2 Peter 1:12-15** Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always **in remembrance** of these things, ......... to stir you up by putting you **in remembrance;** ........ Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always **in remembrance.** *1/ A reminder of God's use of aids to remembrance in his Word, the Bible. 2/ "These things" Peter wants us to have **always** in remembrance, and what is not stopping him from reminding us. 3/ The blessing of rememberance.* **Sermon summary:** The sermon explores the critical spiritual discipline of remembering God's truths, drawing primarily from 2 Peter 1:12-15 where the Apostle Peter urges believers to constantly recall essential doctrines. The preacher highlights various biblical aids for remembrance, such as the rainbow, the Passover, and the Lord's Supper, which serve as tangible reminders of God's covenants and redemptive work. Emphasizing that even established Christians are prone to forgetfulness, the message argues that repeated exposure to Scripture is necessary to maintain faith and prevent spiritual complacency. The Holy Spirit acts as the ultimate Remembrancer, bringing past blessings and scriptural truths to light at divinely appointed times for encouragement and correction. Ultimately, the sermon calls the congregation to actively engage with God's Word so as to have the assurance of their calling and therefore election until Christ's return.

The piece warns that religious privileges alone cannot save a soul, using Lot's wife as a cautionary example of someone who enjoyed godly influences yet remained unconverted. It emphasizes that despite having righteous family members and clear divine warnings, she failed to receive the grace of the Holy Spirit, which is essential for true salvation. The text argues that familiarity with sacred things without personal repentance and faith only hardens the heart and increases condemnation. Believers are urged not to rest on external advantages like good preaching or godly company but to seek genuine spiritual transformation. Ultimately, the message asserts that without the inward work of grace, all outward blessings are useless for eternal life.

How can Christians distinguish the Holy Spirit's conviction from crushing condemnation? Although both may involve an awareness of sin, they lead believers in completely different directions. Condemnation declares that there is no hope, that God is finished with you, and that your sin is greater than His grace. Biblical conviction exposes specific sin so that you will confess it, repent, trust Christ, and return to joyful fellowship with God. In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins examines Romans 8:1, John 16:8, Psalm 32, Hebrews 4:16, and 1 John 1:9 to explain why believers no longer stand condemned before God. Jesus Christ bore the complete judgment their sins deserved, securing forgiveness, justification, and peace with God. Christians do not overcome guilt through endless introspection, religious effort, or ongoing self-punishment. They overcome it by looking to Christ, receiving His forgiveness, and resting in His finished work. For more from Anchored in the Word please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/anchored-in-the-wordpage/

A Godly Prayer Life Prayer is far more than presenting our requests to God—it is the privilege of drawing near to our Heavenly Father in worship, faith, thanksgiving, confession, and complete dependence upon Him. In this Bible study, we'll explore the many dimensions of biblical prayer, discover what Scripture teaches about an effective prayer life, and learn how daily communion with God transforms our hearts to reflect the character of Jesus Christ. May this study encourage you to deepen your walk with the Lord and experience the peace, wisdom, and power that come through a faithful, God-honoring prayer life. "Pray without ceasing." — 1 Thessalonians 5:17