The Rock Church of Fenton Sermons

Having been bothered in his spirit, Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, approached Jesus at night. Though steeped in tradition, God was able to reach his heart, demonstrating that God can reach anyone. The man from Arimathea, a prominent member of the council, did not consent to the plan of the Pharisees to crucify Jesus. Gathering courage, he made himself known. Paul of Tarsus, a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee, was able to speak with great credibility to his former colleagues. God can reach anyone and give them the courage to allow their story to be used for His glory. Have you given your story to the Lord for His use? 

Jesus described the Pharisees as having a hardness of heart. They were hard-hearted to the gospel message. Prophets, wise men and scribes were all sent to them, and instead of responding in faith, they killed, crucified, scourged and persecuted them. They were hard-hearted to their own sin. The pride of their heart had deceived them into believing they could trust in themselves for righteousness, rather than having anything to repent of. They were hard-hearted toward the lost. They were repulsed by sinners and criticized those who showed compassion to them. Is your heart receptive to the gospel? Do you show mercy to sinners with a genuine hope for their salvation?

When Jesus addressed the religious leaders of His day, known as the Pharisees, He used jarring descriptions of their hypocrisy. He said that Pharisees served only to be seen. Pharisees used God as leverage to manipulate people to their preferences. Most alarming of all, Jesus said that Pharisees do not know God. Are you a Pharisee or a genuine follower of Jesus?

Jesus told a story of a rich man and a poor man. Both of them died. Both of their spirits entered eternity. In the afterlife, they had a memory. Their place in eternity was inescapably fixed. They believed the truth as everyone will know after death. When one man pleaded for his family to be warned, he was told they have Moses and the Prophets and must hear them. Like these two men, we all will face death and our spirit pass into eternity where our fate will be fixed. What response have we had to Moses and Prophets in this life?

The Word of God is inspired. God called men to write it down as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Inspiration is validated in the heart of man, prophetic history and scientific accuracy. The Word of God is alive as it cuts to the heart of man, purifies his soul and shatters his hard heart. The Word of God is eternal. Jesus said the Heaven and Earth will pass away, but His Words will never pass away. The Word of God is about Jesus. Moses and prophets were all speaking things concerning Jesus. When we behold the Word of God, we will be led to Jesus. Have you surrendered your heart to Jesus by faith?

Fearing that there would be no future offspring for their family, Lot’s daughters devise an unspeakable plan. Getting their father drunk with wine, they each become pregnant with his child. This disturbing turn of events shows us how crisis reveals character. We also see that we reap what we sow as Lot becomes the horrifying thing he once suggested of others. Amid all of the sin and darkness, God still chooses to use his family for His glory. God can use our worst. Have you turned your life over to Jesus to be miraculously made new?

Having received a promise from God that the righteous would not be swept away with the wicked, Abraham looks down upon Sodom and Gomorrah as the smoke of judgment rises into the air. Seeing that the Lord rescued Lot & destroyed the wicked, Abraham sees that God is fair, kind, and severe. The Lord will one day distinguish between the righteous and the wicked. His kindness and tolerance continue to lead many to repentance. His severity will meet the many who reject Him when they stand at the judgment. Have you been made righteous by the blood of Jesus?

The angels warned Lot and his family of the coming destruction. As Lot hesitated, the angels took his hand and the hands of his wife and daughters and ushered them outside of the city. Lot and his family were warned to escape to the mountains and not look back lest they get swept away in the judgment. The coming of the Son of Man will be the same. To escape judgment, a person must believe that there is one, not trust in earthly comfort and make a choice and never look back. Have you made a choice to turn from the world and follow Jesus? 

GENESIS 19:15-22

GENESIS 19:17

LUKE 12:19-20

GENESIS 19:23-26

LUKE 17:28-33

When the men of Sodom surrounded Lot’s home and demanded his guests, Lot made a horrific offer. While he was a success in society, he proved to be a failure at home. The men of the city declined and attempted to forcibly take Lot’s guests. Angels reached out and rescued Lot, who belonged to the Lord by faith. When Lot warned his soon to be sons in law of the coming judgment, they laughed in his face. Like many who earnestly try to speak truth to those they, Lot was laughed at for the truth. Do you belong to God by faith in Jesus? Are you living a life that truly honors Him?