The devotional centers on the profound significance of Gideon naming his altar 'The Lord is Peace,' emphasizing that God Himself is not merely the source of peace but is peace incarnate, revealed through the Hebrew concept of shalom—encompassing wholeness, harmony, safety, and divine covenantal faithfulness. It explores how this divine identity calls believers to anchor their minds and hearts in God's unchanging nature, trusting that His peace transcends circumstances and is cultivated through focused faith, not emotional states. Drawing from key passages like Isaiah 26:3 and John 14:27, the message underscores that true peace is not derived from external conditions but from a steadfast orientation toward God, who is the ultimate source and sustainer of shalom. The preacher calls the audience to embrace this truth as a daily spiritual discipline, allowing God's peace to guard the mind and transform life in every sphere, from family to work to personal trials. Ultimately, the sermon invites a posture of trust and worship, rooted in the conviction that God's very being is peace, and that His presence is the foundation of lasting well-being.

Salvation is God's work from beginning to end. Dave Jenkins explains the biblical teaching of grace alone and calls believers to rest in Christ with humility, gratitude, and worship. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

This sermon examines the theological significance and proper observance of the Lord's Supper, arguing that it is a central act of worship rather than a mere memorial. It critiques modern practices that diminish the ordinance's spiritual weight or treat it as a casual convenience, emphasizing instead the need for reverence and communal unity. By analyzing passages from 1 Corinthians, Luke, and Acts, the text highlights that the bread and cup represent participation in Christ's body and blood, requiring believers to examine their relationships with one another to avoid judgment. The instruction calls for distinct actions for the bread and the cup, faithful to the original institution, and advocates for frequent, likely weekly, observance to maintain the spiritual health of the church.

Who is good enough to go to heaven? Mark 10:17–31 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ's goodness is the only goodness good enough to bring us into the kingdom. This devotional examines the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler to distinguish between superficial religious effort and true saving faith. The central argument posits that the man's failure stems not merely from his attachment to wealth, but from a fundamental misunderstanding of Jesus' divinity and the depth of God's law, which requires holiness of the heart rather than merely external compliance. The text contrasts the man's sorrow over losing possessions with the Christian's gratitude for gaining everything in Christ, challenging the common assumption that material prosperity or personal sacrifice constitutes spiritual merit. The message urges hearers to recognize their own spiritual poverty and rely entirely on the sufficiency of Christ. The tone is convicting yet pastoral, emphasizing that true salvation is found in knowing Jesus as Yahweh and resting in the grace that provides all spiritual riches.

Greetings and welcome! This is our daily devotional for September 17, 2026. Today, we continue our series on Exodus in Chapter 4, where Moses and Aaron go to Israel's elders. How did they respond, and how should we respond to the Lord? Thanks for joining us!

Scripture can be neglected, forgotten, and overlooked, even among God's people. When the Book of the Law was found, King Josiah humbled himself, listened to its message, and led the nation in repentance and renewed obedience. We too must open the Bible with new desire, allowing God's Word to expose our sin, restore our worship, and guide our lives. When we rediscover Scripture, we rediscover God's truth, holiness, mercy, and call to faithful living.

This sermon explores Psalm 5 as a declaration of confidence in God's character, highlighting the distinct contrast between the righteous and the wicked.

The devotional explores Judges 6, focusing on Gideon's call amid a nation in spiritual and physical bondage to the Midianites, illustrating how God responds to desperate prayer with deliverance through humble, unexpected instruments. Central to the message is the transformative power of divine presence—God's declaration, 'I will be with you,' confronts human inadequacy and ignites faith, as Gideon's initial self-doubt gives way to worship and obedience. The passage reveals a recurring spiritual cycle: apostasy leads to oppression, repentance to deliverance, and complacency to relapse—warning believers against returning to the sins that caused their bondage. The call to worship, symbolized by Gideon's altar, becomes the proper response to divine deliverance, marking a commitment to remain faithful. Ultimately, the sermon emphasizes that God uses the humble and insignificant to accomplish mighty works, and that true freedom is sustained not by strength but by continual dependence on Him.

This sermon explores the concept of piety, defined as devoted reverence toward God that results in worship, trust, and obedience. The central message focuses on three specific pious acts outlined in Matthew 6: giving, prayer, and fasting, emphasizing that these should be voluntary responses to God's character rather than performances for human approval. The teaching highlights that giving is a cheerful submission that glorifies God, prayer must be meaningful and rooted in the recognition of God's holiness and kingdom, and fasting serves to humble the believer before the Lord. The preacher encourages the congregation to view these disciplines not as bartering with God, but as daily costs of a Christian life that flows from a heart transformed by grace.

This sermon examines the revival under King Hezekiah as recorded in 2 Chronicles, highlighting how God moved powerfully despite the widespread apostasy and wickedness of Judah. The message emphasizes that true revival begins with the realization of one's spiritual condition and the reestablishment of communion with God, leading to a unified congregation prepared for worship. It underscores the importance of inviting those who are distant from God, noting that Hezekiah's compassion for the ceremonially unclean northern tribes demonstrates that God values a contrite heart over ritual perfection. The preacher encourages believers to pray for revival, trust in God's ability to move suddenly, and actively reach out to backslidden loved ones with the assurance of God's mercy.