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The Protestant Reformation called the church back to the authority of Scripture and justification by faith alone in Christ alone. Dave Jenkins explains why reform was needed, how the gospel had become obscured, and why these truths still matter today. Every generation must test its beliefs and practices by God's Word and remain faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

I have pastored Emmanuel Baptist Church for 31 years. The church has been faithful. Will the church be faithful for the next 31 years? I ask today, "Will You Contend" for the faith once delivered to the saints?

This sermon explores the pervasive theme of God's mercy throughout Scripture, anchored in Psalm 103. It highlights that God's mercy is abundant, complete in its forgiveness, and everlasting in its duration. By examining key narratives from Genesis to the New Testament, including the Garden of Eden, Noah, Abraham, Israel, Jonah, and the parable of the prodigal son, the message illustrates that God consistently pursues sinners with compassion rather than judgment. The central argument is that salvation and restoration are acts of divine grace, not human merit, as seen in the substitutionary atonement and the cross. Believers are encouraged to rest in this truth, recognizing that their sins are fully covered and that God delights in restoring those who repent.

Proverbs 7 exposes the counterfeit love offered by sexual temptation and contrasts it with God's design for covenant love—a faithful, knowing, passionate relationship that reflects Christ's love for His church. In The Strange Woman: Counterfeit Love, Solomon's warning shows how sexual sin promises pleasure without consequences, yet ultimately brings brokenness, shame, and destruction. The message calls believers to recognize temptation early, flee rather than negotiate with it, pursue purity before the moment of decision, and value the faithful covenant love God designed within marriage.

(AI Generated Summary) This sermon explores the imperative to reckon oneself dead to sin and alive to God, emphasizing that this theological truth must translate into practical holiness. The speaker argues that intellectual assent to the gospel is insufficient without a corresponding transformation in character, where believers actively refuse to let sin reign in their mortal bodies. By partnering with God's power and presenting their members as instruments of righteousness, Christians engage in the process of sanctification, which is the natural outflow of genuine salvation. The message highlights that the hallmark of a saved life is a deep shame for past sins and a commitment to serve God, driven by the love of Christ rather than mere legalistic obligation. Ultimately, the sermon presents sanctification not as a burden, but as the path to the free gift of eternal life, contrasting the wages of sin with the abundant grace of God.

The sermon examines Hosea 2:2-7 as a divine prosecution of Israel for spiritual unfaithfulness, highlighting the futility of pursuing false gods that cannot provide true security or prosperity. It identifies the universal human tendency to create idols and seek fulfillment outside of the one true God, describing this practice as a futile chase after non-existent entities. The text contrasts this delusion with the reality of the gospel, where Jesus Christ stands as the sole source of redemption and truth. The message calls the audience to reject all rivals to God, attribute all blessings to Him, and return to exclusive devotion to the Lord, recognizing that He alone is sufficient and faithful.

Experience deep peace in this 2 Timothy 4 sermon, Comforts For A Godly Servant, as Paul faces his final days on earth. Even the greatest of Christ's ministers are merely clay vessels who experience deep loneliness and human betrayal. In the closing verses of his final letter, the Apostle Paul transparently displays his profound need for Christian companionship. Despite his impending execution in a cold Roman prison, his unwavering faith in the sovereignty of God remains on full display. When believers face abandonment by those who love this present world, they can rest securely in the eternal faithfulness of God. The Lord never abandons His people to their earthly circumstances but lovingly reigns over every moment of their lives. Godly fellowship and a steadfast commitment to the truth of Scripture provide anchor points for the suffering saint. Believers are called to serve the Lord tirelessly until He calls them to their heavenly home. By studying these final instructions, Christians learn how to finish their spiritual race with triumphant joy. God preserves His people safely for His heavenly kingdom where they will savor His glory forever. Key Biblical Takeaways: - True Christian fellowship requires a humble willingness to both serve others and be served during seasons of personal weakness. - The pain of spiritual desertion is a reality for believers, yet God remains perfectly faithful when human friends fail. - A high view of Scripture provides ultimate comfort in suffering because God's Word reveals the absolute truth about our secure future.