Wisdom on SermonAudio

Believing That Is Becoming 1 Corinthians 2–3 | Jeremiah 32:38–40 This message emphasizes that genuine faith in Jesus is more than believing something about Him; it is a believing that is continually becoming more like Him. Our believing affects our behavior, and our behavior reveals whether we're being led by the Spirit of God or governed by the desires of our flesh. Paul confronted the believers at Corinth because, although they had received the gospel and the wisdom of God, their jealousy, strife, and divisions exposed their spiritual immaturity. They were placing their confidence in gifted servants rather than recognizing that Paul, Apollos, and Peter were merely instruments through whom God was working. The servants planted and watered, but God gave the increase. The message reminds us that God has given us His Word and His Spirit, not merely to increase our knowledge, but to transform our lives. His wisdom teaches us to depend upon Him rather than our own understanding, producing humility, patience, purity, love, and a willingness to serve others without competition or offense. When we're Spirit-led, even life's difficulties and relationships become opportunities for God to accomplish His good purpose in us—conforming us to the image of Jesus. Drawing from Jeremiah 32:38–40, the message reveals God's desire to give His people one heart and one way, placing His fear within them so they will continually walk with Him. This reverence produces a lifestyle of dependence that blesses not only us but also those who come after us. Ultimately, the great evidence of our believing is who and what we're becoming. When we receive God's Word, yield to His Spirit, and trust Je

Why are the Rod and Reproof so necessary? Proverbs 29:1–15 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the rod and reproof are means that God uses to conform a child to Christ. The devotional explores the divine purpose behind parental discipline, explaining that the combination of verbal rebuke and physical correction is essential for training a child to receive God's Word. It contrasts the tragic trajectory of a child left to himself, who hardens his heart and harms self and others, with the wisdom cultivated through consistent, loving correction. The text emphasizes that this discipline is not an end in itself but serves the rebuke, which is a means of grace by which Christ brings the child to repentance and faith in Himself. The message urges parents to trust in God's sovereignty to use these instruments for the spiritual formation of their children, lest they end up in themselves rather than in Christ and like Christ.

If the Lord asked you to leave behind everything you knew and follow Him to another country, would you go? This is the question that faced Jaron and Kim McFarland. Living a comfortable life in Maine with their seven children and their cow, suddenly the Lord asked them if they were willing to give up, "the way life should be" to bring the Good News of Jesus to Czechia. Almost two decades prior, Kim had taken a trip to the Czech Republic and her report stayed with Jaron—"To my knowledge, I did not come into contact with one other believer." Jaron found himself asking, "If God were to call me, would I be willing?" Listen in to today's podcast to hear testimonies of the Lord's goodness, a surrendered family's zeal to serve Him, and faith in the midst of it all. To support the McFarlands as they prepare to take the Gospel to the Czech Republic, visit bethanybaptist.cc/mcfarland.

Artificial intelligence can assist research, editing, and administrative work, but it cannot replace biblical authority, spiritual wisdom, or personal responsibility. Dave Jenkins examines research versus composition, source verification, confidentiality, authorship, and the dangers of dependence. He also explains why pastors must retain the work of studying Scripture, developing sermons, and shepherding their congregations. Learn to use AI thoughtfully and honestly under the authority of God's Word. For more from Equipping You in Grace, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/equipping-you-in-grace-2/

We're picking back up with our somewhat occasional series looking at the wisdom literature of Ecclesiastes, and we find ourselves at the beginning of Chapter 2. Here the Preacher "makes a test" of pleasure and wealth, but he does it in some particular ways that may lead to some particular questions…how good are the good things of life? Are they really that good? Or any good? We'll see what the Preacher says and hopefully take away some good applications for ourselves.

This sermon explores the doctrine of God the Father, specifically focusing on the attributes of omniscience, wisdom, and foreknowledge. It establishes that God's knowledge is infinite and unbounded, contrasting the finite limitations of human understanding with the divine capacity to know all things, past, present, and future. The teaching distinguishes between mere knowledge of facts and the wisdom to apply them, highlighting how God's wisdom is evident in creation, redemption, and the gospel. Furthermore, it addresses theological objections such as open theism and the perceived conflict with free will, arguing that divine foreknowledge is not merely predictive but is inseparably linked to God's sovereign decree. The sermon concludes by affirming that God's election is grounded in His own will and purpose, providing comfort to believers who trust in His unchanging and perfect knowledge.

Welcome to today's episode, dedicated to every father who carries the heavy burden of looking back on his parenting with regret or feeling crushed by his own daily shortcomings. Throughout our discussion, we turned to the rich pastoral wisdom of 19th-century pastors like C. H. Spurgeon, J. C. Ryle, R. L. Dabney, and J. G. Pike, who remind us that God's covenant of grace was never made with flawless, angel-like parents, but with weak, redeemed sinners who lean entirely on Christ. We explored how no father is a total failure when he turns his regret into earnest prayer, knowing that God is not limited by our flawed efforts or broken threads, nor is His clock bound by our timeline. Whether through establishing a simple, 10-minute family altar, modeling genuine repentance by asking your children for forgiveness, or persistently pleading God's covenant promises for a wayward child, true fatherhood is not about perfection—it is about daily resting in God's endless mercy and trusting that His grace is always greater than our stumblings.

This sermon explores the concept of divine workmanship by examining Daniel's three years of preparation in Babylon, framing his success not as a product of Babylonian education but as the result of God's sovereign provision. The central message emphasizes that God equips believers to stand firm in secular environments without compromising their identity, illustrating this through Daniel's refusal to be defiled and his subsequent excellence in wisdom and understanding. The text highlights the theological principle that talents are God-given gifts intended for His glory, urging listeners to reject false humility and actively steward their abilities. By contrasting the temporary nature of earthly kingdoms with the eternal sovereignty of God, the sermon encourages perseverance and faithfulness in small matters as the foundation for greater influence. Ultimately, it presents Daniel's life as a model of enduring faithfulness, challenging the audience to trust God's preparation and continue serving Him with integrity regardless of their circumstances.

This sermon examines the account of the twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple, highlighting his early display of wisdom and his declaration that he must be about his Father's business. The central message emphasizes that believers are called to identify and obey God's specific purpose for their lives, rather than seeking fulfillment in worldly distractions or waiting for perfect qualifications. The text contrasts the parents' search in the wrong places with Jesus' presence where God intended him to be, urging listeners to find God in his appointed places. It further asserts that God equips those he calls, using examples of imperfect individuals in Scripture to demonstrate that obedience is more valuable than human capability. The tone is instructional and challenging, calling for immediate repentance for the unsaved and active, willing service for the saved.