Spirits on SermonAudio

This teaching explores the concept of believers as vessels within the body of Christ, emphasizing that true sanctification is not achieved through human effort or performance but through the work of the Holy Spirit. The sermon explains that cleansing oneself from dishonor involves a spiritual transformation where the believer's gaze is fixed on Christ, resulting in a changed nature that desires righteousness over fleshly lusts. It highlights the necessity of dependence on divine grace, noting that the Spirit enables believers to flee from youthful desires and pursue intimacy with God. The discussion underscores that this process is gradual and relational, driven by the Spirit's work to conform the believer to the image of Christ for His good pleasure.

(Sunday Service) 1 Peter 1:1-2: "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you."

This sermon examines the narrative of the Gibeonites in Joshua chapter 9 to illustrate the enemy's primary strategy of deception and manipulation. The central message identifies the greatest sin as living independently of God, a state induced by the enemy's desire to confuse the mind and sever believers from divine counsel. By citing passages such as 1 Timothy 4:1 and James 4:6, the teaching warns against seducing spirits and doctrines that encourage self-reliance over submission to God. The tone is convicting yet pastoral, urging believers to test spirits against the Word of God and to acknowledge their propensity for independence. Ultimately, the message offers hope through God's mercy, encouraging a return to dependence on Christ for victory and spiritual clarity.

Theme: Jesus Succeeds in Answering Satan's Temptations where Adam Failed. I. The Son of God Tempted by Physical Needs – vv. 1-4 A. The Son of God Lead by the Spirit to be Tempted by the Devil – v. 1 B. Jesus was Hungry after Fasting 40 days and nights – v. 2 C. The Devil Tempts Jesus to Supernaturally Fulfill His Physical Needs – v. 3 D. Jesus Responds that God's Word is More Necessary than Daily Food – v. 4 II. The Devil Tempts Jesus to Die Early – vv. 5-7 A. The Devil Set Jesus on the Pinnacle of the temple – v. 5 B. The Devil Quotes Scripture Concerning Trust in God's Protection – v. 6 C. Jesus Responds that Trusting is not Tempting God – v. 7 III. The Devil Tempts Jesus to Obtain His Deserved Glory by Avoiding the Cross – vv. 9-11 A. The Devil Shows Jesus the Glory of the Kingdoms of the World – v. 8 B. The Devil Promises Jesus the Honor He deserved by Avoiding the Cross – v. 9 C. Jesus Responds that We are to Worship and Serve the Lord Only – v. 10 D. Jesus Ministered to by Angels – v. 11

1. Proof of our adoption. Fruit of the Holy Spirit. (Evidence fo Holiness) 2. Privilege of our adoption, Witness of the Hoy Spirit. 3. The Promise of adoption, heirs of God. Note: "led" v14 of the Spirit of God, "agontai" Present Tense-Passive- Indicative.

Jonathan Edwards's Treatise on the Religious Affections - language updated to a more modern English. "In the Preface to A Treatise on the Religious Affections, Jonathan Edwards argues that determining the true nature of saving faith is the single most vital question facing humanity, yet it remains deeply obscured by widespread debate and counterfeit experiences. Reflecting on past spiritual awakenings—from biblical revivals to the Protestant Reformation and New England's Great Awakening—Edwards explains how Satan consistently undermines divine revivals not through open persecution, but by mixing false, unexamined emotionalism with true holiness. Unmasking these counterfeits is essential, as mistaking false zeal for genuine grace leads to spiritual self-deception, bitter division among Christians, and the eventual decay of genuine revivals. Edwards writes this treatise to provide clear, biblical criteria for distinguishing the saving operations of the Holy Spirit from non-saving spiritual counterfeits, urging believers to pursue lasting spiritual clarity.

Sermon Idea: The Church as a body impacts how we understand membership, the call to care for one another and working together for the glory of Christ. Fallen Condition Focus: One of the sad realities of the American church in general is how hyper-individualistic we are. We treat the Church as more of a social club meant to cater to our whims and preferences. When we perceive the church as failing to deliver on our expectations, we check out and leave. But our union with Christ through the Spirit, the illustration of the Church as a body, and the order God has established for the Church calls us to be radically different. We are called to commit to one another as members, care for, honor, and esteem one another, as well as work together for the glory of Christ and the Gospel.

Take Heart; It Is I | Mark 6:45–56 Why does obedience to Christ sometimes lead us into suffering? Where is Jesus when we struggle against the winds of difficult providence? And how should Christians respond when fear threatens to overwhelm their faith? In Mark 6:45–56, Jesus sends His disciples into a storm, watches over them in their struggle, and comes to them walking upon the sea. His words, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid," reveal far more than His power over nature. They reveal His divine identity, sovereign care, and faithfulness toward His people. This expository sermon examines three truths: 1. Christ sees His people in their struggle. His apparent absence never means neglect, and His delays are governed by perfect wisdom. 2. Christ reveals Himself as the Lord of the sea. Our confidence rests not in improved circumstances but in the person, power, and saving work of Jesus Christ. 3. Christ exposes our forgetfulness and calls us to faith. Remembering God's past mercies, especially the cross and resurrection, strengthens believers to trust Him in present trials. The sermon also considers Christ's continuing intercession, the Spirit's work in sanctification, the hope of bodily resurrection, and the church's responsibility to bear one another's burdens. When the wind is against you, remember the loaves, remember the cross, and hear the Savior's words: "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."

In "He Set His Face" (Luke 9:51-62), Charles Sebold follows Jesus onto the long road to Jerusalem. The disciples still do not grasp that He will be delivered into the hands of men, yet Jesus knows exactly where the road ends and sets His face like flint, as the Servant of Isaiah 50, toward the cross. A Samaritan village refuses to receive Him, and James and John, fresh from seeing Elijah on the mountain, offer to call down fire as Elijah did in 2 Kings 1. Jesus rebukes them and simply moves on, proving greater than Elijah in mercy; years later John returns to Samaria, and this time what comes down from heaven is the Holy Spirit. Three would-be followers then show that Jesus is also greater than Elijah in demand. One is told the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. One asks first to bury his father and hears, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead," and is given a living task: proclaim the kingdom. One asks first to say farewell, echoing Elisha in 1 Kings 19, and hears that no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom. The real issue in each case is the word "first." Yet the first man with his hand on the plow is Jesus Himself, who never looks back. This passage is not a club against marriage, home, or family; the Reformers rejected a two-story Christianity, and Jesus sent the Gerasene man home. He does not demand every hour, but He does demand first place, and then the next step He has actually told you to take.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (John 3:1-13)