Temptation on SermonAudio

PM sermons are preceded by a Confessional, Catechism, Historic Creed lesson, or a lesson from the NT (Usually 5 minutes or so) WCF 17:1 They whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved. 2. This perseverance of the saints depends, not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ; the abiding of the Spirit and of the seed of God within them; and the nature of the covenant of grace: from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof. 3. Nevertheless they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins; and for a time continue therein: whereby they incur God's displeasure, and grieve his Holy Spirit; come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts;e have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves. 18: 2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion, grounded upon a fallible hope; but an infallible assurance of faith, founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation, the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made, the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God: which Spirit is the...

In his sermon, Pastor Rockhill addresses the fundamental duties of faith as taught in Luke 17:1-10. He emphasizes the challenges of living out these responsibilities in a fallen world, where temptations and offenses abound. Jesus warns his disciples about the grave consequences of causing others to stumble and calls them to a higher standard of accountability and love. The call to rebuke those who offend us and to extend forgiveness repeatedly is not merely a suggestion but a duty for all believers. Pastor Rockhill encourages the congregation to understand that the essence of faith does not lie in its size but in the greatness of the God in whom we place our trust. He reminds them that even small acts of faith can yield significant outcomes when rooted in a relationship with Christ. As he closes, Pastor Rockhill urges listeners to embrace their roles as unprofitable servants, recognizing that their efforts, however basic, are empowered by God's grace. This humbling perspective fosters a spirit of gratitude and reliance on God for strength in fulfilling their Christian duties.

Theme: We Chose to Ally Ourselves with Satan, God Stops that Alliance and Promises Purpose and Salvation. I. We Trusted Satan More than God! – vv. 1-13 A. The Temptation and Fall – vv. 1-6 B. Adam and Eve's First Response is to Hide – vv. 7-13 II. God's Curse on Sin Focuses Forward to Future Service – vv. 14-19 III. God Removes Adam and Eve from the Garden to Prepare for the Savior – vv. 20-24

The sermon examines James 1:16-18 to address the deception inherent in worldly temptations, which often mislead believers into seeking good things from sources other than God. By analyzing the Daniel narrative, the message illustrates how relying on human provision shifts allegiance away from the divine, whereas trusting in God preserves spiritual integrity. The text emphasizes that every good and perfect gift originates from the Father of Lights, whose immutability ensures that His character and provision remain constant and trustworthy. This theological foundation frees believers from anxiety and the need for self-reliance, as God takes the initiative to bring them forth by the Word of Truth. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a mindset shift where believers recognize themselves as firstfruits set apart for holy use, finding joy in obedience rather than struggle.

This sermon examines the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 to address the temptation to add human requirements to the finished work of Christ. It argues that salvation is secured solely by grace through faith, not by adherence to the Mosaic Law or personal moral performance, as demonstrated by Peter's testimony regarding the Gentiles. The message warns against the sin of pride, which often leads believers to judge one another over secondary issues or convictions, thereby fracturing the unity of the church. Instead of dividing over differences, the early church model of seeking God's will through Scripture and mutual counsel is presented as the proper response to controversy. The sermon concludes by calling believers to exercise liberty with love, avoiding actions that cause weaker brothers to stumble, and recognizing that all are equally saved by the blood of Christ.

After affirming the doctrine of the eternal security of the true believer, that genuine salvation is a gift of God's power that cannot be lost or forfeited, the message then warns that while salvation is secure, unrepentant sin carries severe consequences for the Christian life. The message identifies seven specific losses resulting from persistent disobedience, including the joy of salvation, personal testimony, God's provision, physical health, spiritual understanding, earthly life, and eternal rewards. By contrasting the assurance of eternal life with the tangible costs of sin, the preacher urges believers to flee temptation and maintain holiness. The tone is both comforting regarding salvation and convicting regarding the necessity of repentance to preserve the fullness of God's blessings.

The devotional explores the redemptive purpose of severe opposition, illustrating how persecution, far from hindering the gospel, often accelerates its spread. Drawing from the experiences of Paul and Barnabas, it highlights how suffering led to the expansion of the Christian message into new regions, demonstrating that faithful endurance under trial becomes a powerful witness. The preacher emphasizes that the courage and Christlike response of believers under pressure can transform observers, as seen in the historical accounts of martyrs in Rome whose faith moved onlookers to belief. It also reflects on the privilege of accessing Scripture today, underscoring that this access was secured through immense sacrifice, including martyrdom, by those who risked everything to translate and preserve God's Word. Ultimately, the message affirms that when believers respond to opposition with grace and steadfastness, they reveal the transformative power of Christ, turning hardship into a vessel of divine purpose.

The sermon exhorts believers to flee idolatry by recognizing the spiritual reality behind pagan practices and avoiding any participation with demons. It contrasts the Lord's table, which signifies communion with Christ and unity among believers, with the table of demons, warning that Christians cannot partake of both. The preacher addresses modern forms of functional materialism and occult dabbling, such as astrology or energy work, asserting that these are active engagements with evil rather than neutral activities. Emphasizing God's jealousy for His people's exclusive devotion, the message calls for holy separation and sanctification through reliance on Christ alone. Ultimately, believers are urged to reject all rival sources of power and guidance in favor of the ordinary means of grace provided by God.