Spirits on SermonAudio

When babies are born, so too are appetite and voice. Such things are natural to life. When Christians are born again through the truth of the gospel, that new life produces love—a Spirit-enabled desire for the good of others expressed at the expense of self. Such love flows from a Christian's inner being and, like a child learns to speak or walk, must be spurred on to greater expression and growth. "... Fervently love one another from the heart," 1 Peter 1:22 (LSB). God's enduring truth produces sincere love, not merely its outward appearance. Our expression of that love can be hindered by hardship, outside temptations, or our ongoing battle with self-protection. We know we're growing in truth not merely by how much spiritual knowledge we have in our heads, but how much we love sacrificially from the heart. "... for you have been born again not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, that is, through the living and enduring word of God," verse 23. Genuine knowledge of God's truth bears its fruit in love. Join us this Lord's Day as we turn to the closing verses of 1 Peter 1 and consider "Homeward Bound: Love From a Pure Heart." We'll also enjoy the visible reminder of Christ's love for us, and our union with one another in Christ, as we come to the Lord's Table. Prepare for Sunday: Read 1 Peter 1:13-25, meditating on verses 22-25. Also read John 13:34-35. What words or phrases does Peter use to describe love? Why do you think Peter links the command to love with being born again? What is distinctive about Jesus' command to love one another? How does this love identify His disciples? What circumstances, temptations, or self-protective habits

The sermon addresses the discouragement often felt by believers when the fruit of their labor in spreading the gospel appears sparse, urging them to maintain zeal and patience. It draws from Isaiah 43 to affirm God's sovereign purpose to gather His elect from all nations, emphasizing that salvation is secured by election, redemption, and the work of the Holy Spirit. The message encourages the church to view their mission not as a burden of routine but as a joyful participation in God's immutable plan to bring His children from far away. It highlights the role of preventing grace and the certainty that God will fulfill His promise to save His people, regardless of current circumstances or the passage of time. Believers are called to cast their nets wide in evangelism, trusting that God gives the increase and will gather His chosen ones in due season.

This sermon challenges the modern cultural mantra of "my body, my choice" by asserting that Christian bodies are not owned by the individual but belong to God. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 6, the message outlines three theological indicatives: the Father will raise believers' bodies, believers are united to Christ as members of His body, and the Holy Spirit dwells within them as a temple. These truths counter both legalism and licentiousness, establishing that Christian liberty is defined by the purpose of glorifying God rather than personal autonomy. The sermon concludes with two imperatives: to flee from sexual immorality with urgency and to live every aspect of life in a manner that glorifies God, reflecting the reality that believers have been bought with a price.

Pastor Wade continues his sermon series on the book of Genesis expositing Genesis 15:1-6 with sermon "Reckoned as Righteousness".

This sermon explores the theological foundations and practical strategies for reading Scripture, grounded in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. It argues that the primary purpose of Bible reading is to know and enjoy the triune God, rather than merely seeking moralistic or therapeutic benefits. The message emphasizes that because Scripture is divinely inspired, it requires the Holy Spirit's illumination for true understanding, necessitating a posture of prayerful dependence and diligent study. The preacher outlines six strategies, including centering reading on Christ, digging for deep doctrinal truth, and actively applying the text to transform both beliefs and daily conduct. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to move beyond passive or curious reading toward a life shaped by God's goals, where the Word equips them for every good work.

The speaker lays out the cold hard facts that man is a sinner, but he can't truly know how sinful he is because of his wicked nature, being blinded by Satan, and having a darkened understanding. God the Holy Spirit must come and open the heart, enlighten the understanding and cause a sinner to see a need for salvation before the sinner will ever begin to seek the Lord. It's the Lord that saves.

1. Remember our Identity 2. Recognize the danger. 3. Rely on the Holy Spirit. Relying in the Holy Spirit: (Part 2) Eph 6:17-18  "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" Weapon of Offence. The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. With Prayer. Gal 3:5  "therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? " Hearing the Gospel! 2Th 2:13  "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: " Heb 13:5-6 " Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Acts 23:5 & Isaiah 41:10..., etc listen to the sermon!

This passage is a lot more meaningful if you can have a better understanding of the word for "sure" and the word for "simple". Sure is used by Paul and Peter in the New Testament and compared to their experience with Christ. The word for simple is actually a word that means an open-gate or door. And the image here is compared to our mind that has an open gate with no filter to keep things out or keep things safe inside our mind. In other words, don't have an open mind without filters or guards to keep bad stuff out, if you don't you are simple minded and you will have no discernment to guide you through the vicissitudes of life. The Word of God will give you the wisdom needed for life.

Becoming Like Jesus Christ-Centered Faith: Becoming Like the One We Believe Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 8–10; Philippians 1:9–11; 1 Corinthians 13 This message emphasizes that authentic, Christ-centered faith is more than believing something about Jesus; it is believing Him in such a way that we are continually becoming more like Him. Everyone is becoming who and what they believe, and what they are becoming is eventually revealed in their behavior. Our believing should affect our becoming, and our becoming should manifest the fruit of the Spirit rather than the folly of a self-governed life. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 8, the message contrasts knowledge that puffs up with love that builds others up. Knowledge separated from love produces pride, frustration, and an exaggerated confidence in our own understanding. However, knowledge governed by love becomes a means of encouraging, strengthening, and helping others. Since no one knows everything about anything, believers must remain humble, teachable, and willing to grow. Philippians 1:9–11 provides the central prayer of the message: that our love would abound more and more in knowledge and discernment. The goal is not merely to know more but to love more wisely, recognize what is excellent, and live sincerely before the Lord. As our love matures, we become increasingly sensitive to what pleases the Holy Spirit and what grieves Him. When the Lord reveals attitudes, motives, or behaviors that are contrary to His character, we should respond with repentance and renewed dependence upon His mercy rather than defending ourselves. Through illustrations of overflowing water and balloons exposed to a flame, the message

The sermon examines the urgent warning in Hebrews 2 against neglecting the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. It contrasts the severe consequences of breaking the Mosaic Law, delivered by angels, with the far greater danger of rejecting the gospel, which was declared by the Lord and confirmed by signs and wonders. The message emphasizes that this 'great salvation' is a serious matter that requires close attention to avoid drifting away from faith. While discussing the historical context of the Holy Spirit's gifts, the speaker urges believers to actively share the gospel through various means, acknowledging the potential for opposition and indifference. The central intent is to convict the audience of the gravity of spiritual apathy and to encourage diligent engagement with the Word and evangelism.