Spirits on SermonAudio

This sermon explores the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints through the lens of 2 Thessalonians 3, emphasizing that Christian security rests not on human strength but on the unchanging faithfulness of God. The message contrasts the faithlessness of men, including false believers and external opponents, with the sovereign preservation of God's people, who are guarded by Christ despite the attacks of Satan and the world. Drawing on the example of Peter and the imagery of Pilgrim's Progress, the teaching illustrates that God sustains believers through the means of grace, such as prayer, preaching, and fellowship, rather than removing them from spiritual warfare. The tone is both convicting and comforting, urging believers to reject cynicism about the church's failures and instead find assurance in the fact that God begins and finishes the work of salvation. Ultimately, the sermon calls for active participation in the life of the church and transparent prayer, trusting that the Lord who elected believers will preserve them to the end.

This sermon examines Hebrews 12:14-17, emphasizing the imperative for believers to actively pursue peace and holiness within the local church context. The text argues that peace requires diligent effort to overcome indwelling sin and that holiness is an inward devotion to God rather than mere external religious observance. The preacher warns against the 'root of bitterness' and the sin of apostasy, using the tragic example of Esau to illustrate the finality of rejecting God's grace. The message calls the congregation to watch over one another with diligence, ensuring that no member fails in their faith, while maintaining a spirit of love that covers minor offenses. Ultimately, the sermon presents these commands as essential for running the Christian race with endurance and securing the hope of seeing the Lord.

In this evening message, Pastor Rockhill continues his study of the parables of Jesus, turning from Luke to Matthew's record of the wise and foolish builders in the closing words of the Sermon on the Mount. His central burden is that genuine saving faith is never mere profession but is demonstrated by a life of obedience to the will of the Father. Drawing on the sobering warning that precedes the parable, he reminds the congregation that even those who prophesy, cast out demons, and perform wonders may still hear Christ say, "I never knew you." Pastor Rockhill shows that both the wise and the foolish man hear the same words of Christ; the difference lies in whether they believe and obey. The wise man builds upon the rock of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only foundation that can withstand the storms of trial, suffering, and the final judgment. The foolish man, concerned only with outward appearance and his own glory, builds upon sand, and his house collapses in great ruin. The doctrine pressed home is that true faith rests wholly upon Christ and bears the fruit of love and obedience by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Rockhill applies this searchingly, calling each hearer to examine whether they merely hear with the ears or truly receive the word in the heart. As the congregation prepares to come to the Lord's table, he urges them to build their lives upon the sure and certain rock of Christ, that their faith may remain secure when the storms inevitably come.

This sermon explores the practical wisdom found in Ecclesiastes 10 for navigating the unpredictability and brokenness of the fallen world. It presents six key principles for living well, including maintaining composure under erratic authority, applying wisdom to avoid danger, exercising restraint in speech, cultivating diligence to prevent decay, stewarding resources wisely, and maintaining integrity between private and public life. While these are sound principles, they ultimately point to Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect wisdom, speech, diligence, and integrity. The central message is that believers are called to pursue Christlikeness not through self-effort alone, but by relying on the Holy Spirit to transform their hearts and actions. The tone is instructional and pastoral, encouraging the congregation to let these timeless truths shape their daily conduct and character.

This sermon examines John 13:1, highlighting the pivotal moment when Jesus recognizes that his hour has arrived to depart from the world. The teaching draws a theological parallel between the Passover Lamb in Exodus and Christ's ultimate sacrifice, emphasizing that his death provides a greater deliverance from sin than the Exodus provided from slavery. The central theme focuses on the specific, electing love of Christ for his people, distinguishing it from general compassion by rooting it in the Father's predestinatory choice before the foundation of the world. The sermon assures believers that this love is eternal and unbreakable, securing them through tribulation and into eternity, as affirmed in Romans 8. The tone is instructional and comforting, inviting listeners to rest in the certainty of Christ's keeping power and his welcoming invitation to all who come to him.

This sermon explores the pastoral letter Jeremiah sends to the exiles in Babylon, emphasizing that their displacement is the sovereign hand of God rather than mere historical accident. The central instruction is to settle into their circumstances by building homes, planting gardens, and seeking the welfare of the Babylonian city, thereby rejecting rebellion and embracing a life of obedience in a hostile culture. The text warns against false prophets who promise immediate return, urging believers to test spirits and rely on God's true word rather than charismatic lies. By connecting this exilic experience to the New Testament concept of Christians as sojourners, the message highlights the call to live as a new creation people who bring peace and hope to the world around them. Ultimately, the sermon encourages trust in God's appointed timeline, affirming that His promises are sure and that waiting upon Him in faithfulness leads to a future filled with divine purpose and restoration.

Who shall guard the guardians? By showing us how to treat elders who rule well, are accused, and are in sin, God demonstrates that he will guard the guardians: 1. By His Word. 2. By His Spirit. 3. By His judgments. A. Hide the Word in your heart, and seek to do it "by the book" B. Pray for your Elders/Session/Presbytery/Denomination C. Trust that if the Church doesn't get it right, Christ will work it out in the end.

This sermon examines the profound influence of the tongue, highlighting its capacity to direct life and cause destruction. Using the metaphors of a horse's bit, a ship's rudder, and a spreading fire, the message illustrates how small words can have massive consequences, citing historical examples of fires and biblical accounts of King Saul. The text emphasizes that the tongue is an unruly evil that defiles the body and is inconsistent in its ability to both bless God and curse men. It asserts that human effort alone is insufficient to tame the tongue, requiring supernatural grace and the control of the Holy Spirit. The sermon concludes with a call for believers to submit their speech to God's authority, praying for words that are acceptable in His sight and reflecting a redeemed life.