Spirits on SermonAudio

Last week we thought about the importance of being right with God. Yesterday morning, from Ephesians 4, we turned our attention to being right with each other. We considered the importance of unity within the body of Christ — loving one another, bearing with one another, forgiving one another, and guarding the unity that the Lord has given us. We also spoke to those who have been genuinely hurt by others, especially when the other person cannot, or will not, recognise the wrong they have done. We may not be able to change another person's heart, but we can keep our own heart right before God, refuse bitterness, and leave the matter safely in His hands. "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:3

This sermon explores the central question of the Heidelberg Catechism regarding the believer's only comfort in life and death, arguing that true satisfaction is found exclusively in belonging to Christ. The message outlines the Trinitarian work of salvation, beginning with the Father's sovereign plan to preserve the believer, moving to the Son's accomplishment of redemption through His blood to satisfy divine justice and defeat the power of sin, and concluding with the Holy Spirit's ongoing work of assuring the heart of eternal life and enabling sincere obedience. By contrasting the fleeting, broken cisterns of worldly comfort with the inexhaustible fountain of living water provided by God, the sermon calls the audience to reject self-reliance and find their identity and security in their ownership by a faithful Savior. The tone is pastoral and convicting, urging believers to rest in the certainty of their salvation rather than seeking temporary relief from sin or anxiety, ultimately transforming their daily conduct and community interactions.

This passage teaches that love fulfills God's law. Believers, united to Christ by grace, are no longer under the condemning power of the law, yet are called to obey it as a rule of life. Love is not mere feeling, but covenant faithfulness expressed in justice, purity, and neighborly duty. True obedience flows from redeemed hearts, and the Spirit enables the church to live as God's obedient people.

IN THE SWEAT OF THY FACE.[From Adam's Sweat to the Savior's Blood]Gen 3:17-24 KJV Beginning with Genesis 3:19, this scripture traces a powerful biblical theme from Eden to Gethsemane. Adam's sin brought thorns, sweat, toil, and death into the human experience. Ezekiel's priestly instructions picture ministry before God without garments that cause sweat, reminding us that human effort can never provide the righteousness necessary to approach a holy God. Finally, in Gethsemane, Jesus Christ—the sinless Savior—prays in such agony that His sweat is described as great drops of blood. From Adam's sweat to Christ's blood, Scripture points us to the grace of God and the finished work of Jesus Christ.I. THE SWEAT OF THE FALLEN MAN Sin Turned the Garden into a Place of Toil II. THE SERVICE OF THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD You Cannot Sweat Your Way into the Presence of God III. THE SWEAT OF THE SUFFERING SAVIOUR The One Who Knew No Sin Stepped into the World of Our Curse IN EDEN — MAN SWEATS BECAUSE OF SIN. IN THE SANCTUARY — THE PRIEST IS TOLD NOT TO WEAR WHAT CAUSES SWEAT. IN GETHSEMANE — CHRIST SWEATS AS HE MOVES TOWARD THE CROSS FOR SINNERS.

This sermon examines the warning in 1 Timothy 4:1 regarding the departure from the faith in the latter times, identifying this apostasy as a specific and already clearly identified threat, an internal threat within the church rather than an unknown or knowable future event. The message argues that this danger manifests through unfaithfulness, characterized by seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and is seen especially by the rise of the Roman Catholic Church and its departure from the gospel of grace. It further explains that such systems, like that of the Roman Church, become undone by hypocrisy and a seared conscience, leading to unlawful oppression through man-made rules that bind the conscience, such as the examples of forbidding marriage or abstaining from foods. The preacher urges believers to reject these legalistic structures while embracing the positive truth that all creation is good when received with thanksgiving and sanctified by the Word of God. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a balanced response that discerns error through Scripture while maintaining gratitude for God's gifts and avoiding self-righteousness.

The sermon centers on 1 Corinthians 3:11, establishing Jesus Christ as the sole and unshakeable foundation for the believer's life. It distinguishes between the judgment of sin, which is fully paid for on the cross, and the judgment seat of Christ, which evaluates the quality of a believer's works. The message emphasizes that salvation is a free gift received by faith alone, not achieved through religious works or human effort. Drawing from the Exodus narrative, the preacher illustrates how God's calling, promises, and principles are rooted in Christ, urging believers to rely on the eternal Word of God alongside the Holy Spirit for guidance. The sermon concludes with a call to separate from worldly idols and pursue holiness, motivated by the sure promises of God found in Scripture.

This sermon addresses the theological error of mixing salvation by grace with works of the law, using the Galatian church's drift toward legalism as a primary example. The central message emphasizes that believers are saved by faith alone and must continue their spiritual growth through the power of the Holy Spirit rather than their own fleshly efforts. Key themes include the sufficiency of Christ's finished work on the cross, the necessity of spiritual discernment to avoid false doctrines, and the distinction between holiness and human perfection. The tone is both convicting and pastoral, urging the audience to examine their reliance on personal ability versus their dependence on God. The sermon concludes by affirming that true sanctification and spiritual fruit are the result of abiding in Christ, not human striving.

I. He Sent His Son in the Likeness of Sinful Flesh A. Not in Sinful Flesh – Holy, Harmless, Undefiled B. But in the Closest Relation to Sinful Humanity II. He Sent His Son for Sin A. To Suffer in the Flesh B. To Be a Sin Offering for Us III. He Condemned Sin in the Flesh by His Son's Death A. God Judged Sin in the Body of Christ on the Cross B. God Broke the Guilt and Power of Sin IV. He Fulfilled the Righteousness of the Law in Us A. As Far as Justification is Concerned B. As Far as Sanctification is Concerned

This sermon explores the culmination of the Day of the Lord in the book of Joel, contrasting the temporary cycles of repentance and restoration in Israel's history with the permanent salvation inaugurated by the Holy Spirit. The message identifies the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost as the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy, marking the arrival of the last days and the end of spiritual stagnation for believers. It emphasizes that the Spirit connects believers to God, producing lasting fruit and assurance of belonging, while simultaneously warning of the final judgment awaiting those outside of Christ. The text presents the Valley of Jehoshaphat as a place of divine verdict where God vindicates His people and judges the wicked, urging listeners to rely solely on calling upon the name of the Lord for deliverance.

This sermon examines the opening phrase of the Lord's Prayer, "Our Father which art in heaven," to redefine the believer's approach to God. It emphasizes that prayer is not merely a religious duty but an intimate communion with a loving Father who knows His children's needs before they are spoken. The message highlights the paradox of prayer as both a spiritual battle against distraction and a natural, childlike expression of trust in God's provision. By referencing the role of Christ as High Priest and the Holy Spirit as intercessor, the text encourages believers to enter the throne room with boldness and humility. The central call is to move beyond rote recitation and engage in earnest, sincere prayer that reflects a deep, personal relationship with the Heavenly Father.