Temptation on SermonAudio

The sermon establishes the arrival of God's Kingdom through Jesus Christ, framing repentance and faith as the only appropriate response to His reign. By tracing prophetic threads from Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah, and Malachi, it demonstrates that John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messiah who fulfills ancient promises of judgment and salvation. The text highlights Jesus' baptism and temptation not merely as moral examples but as the pivotal acts where He assumes humanity's burden to perfectly obey God and establish His covenant. This theological foundation shifts the focus from general religious observance to a direct submission to the authority of the Son. Consequently, believers are called to acknowledge this fulfilled time by turning from sin and trusting in the Gospel of the Kingdom.

FROM DULL TO DANGEROUS Recovered by a Fresh Look at Jesus The Fall of the Faithful Is Not Fatal Because the Faithful One Is Forever True Kingdom life is an intentional walk of faith. There is no such thing as accidental obedience. God speaks, we hear His message, He gives us light to see as He sees, and faith responds by trusting and acting upon what He has revealed. But even faithful people can stumble, become distracted, or get off course. Circumstances can begin controlling our hearts like an environment controls water. When that happens, we need recovery. Revival is recovery unto the Lord so that we can remain steadfast with the Lord. Psalm 37 reminds us that although the righteous may fall, they are not utterly cast down because the Lord upholds them. The fall of the faithful is not fatal because the Faithful One is forever true. The first step toward recovery is recommitment. Proverbs 16:3 calls us to roll our works upon the Lord and trust Him to establish our thoughts. We need this fresh surrender every day because yesterday's victories cannot replace today's dependence upon Jesus. Pride says, "I can handle today without Him." Humility says, "Lord, order my steps, establish my thoughts, and give me grace for today." The second step is refocusing our eyes upon Jesus. Hebrews tells us to run the race set before us by "looking unto Jesus." He is not only our Substitute and Sacrifice; He is our Example. We learn how to live, love, endure, resist temptation, and finish our course by looking at Him. Luke 24 gives us a beautiful picture of this recovery. The disciples on the Emmaus road were disappointed, confused, and "slow of heart to believe." Jesus came along

The sermon emphasizes that a godly marriage must be built on the foundation of obedience to God, addressing the root causes of marital confusion and failure. Drawing from Matthew 5, it teaches that sin begins in the heart and eyes, requiring believers to guard their thoughts and flee temptation rather than merely avoiding physical acts. The message warns against the ease of divorce by highlighting Jesus' strict standards for adultery and separation, urging couples to endure trials through faith. It outlines practical steps for maintaining a covenant relationship, including prioritizing God, leaving parents to cleave to one's spouse, and practicing constant forgiveness. Ultimately, the preacher asserts that only by centering the marriage on Christ can couples overcome the world's influences and sustain their union.

The sermon explores the definition of faith as the substance and evidence of things hoped for, emphasizing that genuine faith must be placed exclusively in God rather than temporal desires or worldly achievements. It contrasts the emptiness of deferred human hopes with the security found in trusting the Creator who framed the world by His word. The preacher argues that grace provides unmerited favor and that believers should rest in God's provision rather than succumbing to temptation when their specific wants are not met. By anchoring hope in Christ, individuals find a vital substance that sustains them beyond earthly distractions and emotionalism. Ultimately, the message calls listeners to recognize God as the only sufficient object of faith, allowing His unseen power to manifest visibly through their lives.

Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 16 40. Why was it necessary for Christ to humble himself even "unto death"? Because with respect to the justice and truth of God, satisfaction for our sins could be made no otherwise, than by the death of the Son of God. 41. Why was he also "buried"? Thereby to prove that he was really dead. 42. Since then Christ died for us, why must we also die? Our death is not a satisfaction for our sins, but only an abolishing of sin, and a passage into eternal life. 43. What further benefit do we receive from the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross? That by virtue thereof, our old man is crucified, dead and buried with him; that so the corrupt inclinations of the flesh may no more reign in us; but that we may offer ourselves unto him a sacrifice of thanksgiving. 44. Why is there added, "he descended into hell"? That in my greatest temptations, I may be assured, and wholly comfort myself in this, that my Lord Jesus Christ, by his inexpressible anguish, pains, terrors, and hellish agonies, in which he was plunged during all his sufferings, but especially on the cross, has delivered me from the anguish and torments of hell.

This podcast episode explores the biblical dangers of wealth and the call to faithful stewardship through a discussion of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and key Scripture passages. The speakers analyze how the love of money can distort motives in ministry and daily life, warning against compromising integrity for financial gain or social status. They emphasize that while wealth itself is not sinful, it becomes an idol when it replaces God as the primary focus of one's heart and trust. Practical advice is offered on maintaining financial wisdom, avoiding debt, and teaching children to manage resources with a spirit of generosity and worship. The conversation concludes by encouraging believers to stay fixed on Christ through Scripture, prayer, and accountability to resist the temptation of easy paths.

God tests His people to strengthen their faith, but temptation arises from our own sinful desires. Therefore, believers must fight temptation early through the grace of Jesus Christ before it gives birth to sin and death.

The book of Judges is one of my favorites—but certainly not because it's an easy read. If you are not yet getting a bit sick of hearing Israel descend into sin again and again, you likely will be by the time we are done. But that is exactly the point—the true nature of sin is so noxious, that the land itself had become "sick" because of the sins of the people (and that's putting it nicely: see Lev 18:24-28). Sin is ugly, and its effects are nauseating. But although sin brings death, life is found in Christ. The saga of Judges will be complicated, and unsettling, and quite dark at times. But it is given for our instruction, so that we would see the darkness of our sin set against the glory of Christ. Charles Spurgeon is often credited with saying "I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages." But the real quotation from his 1874 sermon is better still: "The wave of temptation may even wash you higher up upon the Rock of Ages, so that you cling to it with a firmer grip than you have ever done before; and so again where sin abounds, grace will much more abound." Sin is ugly. But Christ is glorious.

The sermon explores how the Word of God provides discernment to help believers navigate moral dilemmas and avoid the regret that follows sin. Drawing primarily from Hebrews 4, it describes Scripture as a living, powerful sword that pierces the heart to reveal thoughts and intents, thereby exposing the deceptive nature of temptation. The preacher contrasts objective biblical truth with subjective feelings, using examples like Joseph, Daniel, and David to illustrate the consequences of choosing desire over divine instruction. By relying on the unchanging standard of God's Word, Christians can see through the fog of sin, resist the enemy's strategies, and persevere in their faith without drifting away from Christ.