Cares of this World on SermonAudio

Because God the Father loves and cares for each one of His children, we should not despise but love and care for each other when we go astray.

Jesus Christ has come. Do you care? Jesus Christ is calling? Are you coming to him? Consider for whom he came—not for the righteous, but for sinners, a doctor for the sick. Consider how he acts, calling sinners to himself in his gospel, urging them to come for healing and salvation. Consider what he calls us to—to leave sin and all its misery, and to come to God and all his blessing.

How do you truly view the Bible—mere words of men or the living Word of God? Pastor Steve explores how Scripture flows from God's very character, calling us to trust, revere, and submit to it as His perfect revelation.

The message explores the profound, active love of God as depicted in Hosea 11, emphasizing His role as a devoted Father who pursues His children with tender care. It highlights how God teaches believers to walk through life, guides them with bonds of love, and heals them even when they fail or wander away. The preacher urges listeners to internalize these divine actions, transforming abstract theology into personal reality by recognizing God's constant presence in their daily struggles. Through examples of personal ministry and missionary work, the message illustrates that God's compassion is tangible, offering hope and strength amidst suffering. Ultimately, the text calls for a deepened awareness of being God's beloved sons and daughters, secured by His unyielding grace.

Throughout this sermon, Spurgeon complains that he is falling short of the subject which he has taken. I think other preachers, reading and responding to what he says, might long for such a failure as this! The text itself is a casket of pearls, and Spurgeon, after giving us a survey of them, urges us to ponder them more carefully for ourselves: "Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all my heart and with all my soul." Having considered some of what that means, perhaps the high point of the sermon then comes as Spurgeon considers the fact that this whole-hearted, whole-souled demonstration of practical love comes from the triune God, and is manifest in all the dealings of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those paragraphs are worth soaking in! Finally, he offers consolation and exhortation to the people of God, as we consider God's heart toward us and examine our own hearts toward him. The whole closes with a heartfelt plea from the preacher for those who do not yet know God's love in this way to come to him and receive all that is held out. I would urge you to read the whole sermon. I am persuaded it will do much good to our souls.

We continue our work on Matthew 13:44-46

On today's episode, Dr. Jim Townsley continues his mini series on "Make Church Healthy Again" in which he talks about the church buildings and grounds. There may be some upkeep and care for church building that may be very helpful to the church's health and vitality.

In this episode of From NAR to Christ, Dawn Hill responds to a teaching that claims the Bible is the problem and that Christians must hear God beyond the written Scriptures. Dawn explains that Scripture is not opposed to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit authored the Word, testifies of Christ, illuminates Scripture, and never contradicts what God has already revealed. This episode addresses the danger of extra-biblical revelation, the misuse of Matthew 4:4, claims of modern apostolic authority, and why Christians must rest in the sufficiency of God's Word. This episode encourages believers to test every teaching, every claimed revelation, and every spiritual experience by Scripture. For more from Dawn Hill, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/dawn-hill/

After examining the church bulletin and tracing the history of interpretation, it's finally time to turn to Matthew 13:44–52 itself. What does the text actually say?

This sermon explores the nature of desperate, fervent prayer as modeled by David in Psalm 142 while hiding in a cave from King Saul. The preacher argues that such intense crying out to God is not a sign of weak faith but rather an expression of deep trust and reverence for God's covenant promises. By examining David's plight and his subsequent persuasion that God knows his path and serves as his refuge, the message encourages believers to abandon self-reliance and stoic silence in favor of honest, vocal supplication. The text emphasizes that God delights in hearing the cries of those who are overwhelmed, offering comfort and deliverance when human help fails. Ultimately, the sermon invites listeners to view their own crises as opportunities to experience God's bountiful care and faithfulness.

Why should God's people remain confident when the world seems consumed by conflict and uncertainty? Amos 1 and 2 remind us that God is always in control, even when the world is filled with violence, injustice, and uncertainty. He sees everything that happens, judges every nation with perfect justice, and remains faithful to every promise He has made. Because God rules over all people and all nations, believers do not have to live in fear. Instead, we can trust His sovereign plan, rest in His faithful care, and find confidence in His unchanging character. As we study His Word, our faith grows stronger and we are better prepared to stand faithfully, no matter what the future brings.

How has the church understood Matthew 13:44–52 through the centuries? Before examining the text ourselves, we trace the history of its interpretation.

God is not sustained, strengthened, completed, or supplied by anything outside Himself. He needs nothing because He is eternally and completely sufficient in Himself. In this episode of Equipping You in Grace, Dave Jenkins examines the self-sufficiency of God from Acts 17:24–25 and Psalm 50:10–12. He explains why God's independence does not make Him distant or uncaring. Instead, it makes His love, strength, faithfulness, and care completely secure. Because God is never depleted, weakened, or overwhelmed, Christians can rest in the truth that they are not sustaining God or holding His purposes together. The God who needs nothing is the God who freely loves, provides for, and faithfully sustains His people through Jesus Christ. Listeners will learn how God's self-sufficiency frees them from performance, strengthens their trust in Him, and leads them into reverent worship. For more from Equipping You in Grace, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/equipping-you-in-grace-2/

This lesson provides an overview of the Old Testament canon, defining it as the divinely inspired collection of scriptures recognized by the Jewish community and affirmed by Jesus and the apostles. The pastor clarifies that the canon was not determined by church councils but emerged through divine providence and historical recognition within a specific timeframe from Moses to Malachi. It addresses the status of the Apocrypha, explaining why these intertestamental writings are excluded from the Protestant canon due to lack of divine inspiration and later inclusion by the Roman Catholic Church. The discussion highlights how the early church accepted the existing Hebrew canon as authoritative, viewing the Old Testament as Christian literature that points to Christ. Ultimately, the message encourages confidence in Scripture's reliability and authority, attributing its preservation to God's sovereign care rather than human decision-making.

OBEDIENCE: THE PLATFORM OF PRAISE This message teaches that obedience is the platform of praise. Praise is more than singing or speaking well of God; every surrendered act of trust, love, worship, and obedience declares that He is worthy. True biblical humility is therefore not simply being quiet or unassuming. It is a life with properly placed trust, properly placed love, and properly placed worship, all centered upon the Lord. The Psalms show that praise has tremendous spiritual value, especially in seasons of suffering. David praised God while still in trouble, while tears were still falling, and while deliverance was still being sought. God may not always immediately remove the sickbed, the trial, or the painful circumstance, but He promises to sustain His people in it. Praise helps the believer look beyond the difficulty and remember that God sees, knows, cares, and remains faithful. Another major truth is that God surrounds His people with His people. Psalm 32 and Psalm 142 connect the righteous surrounding a suffering saint with "songs of deliverance." These songs are the testimonies of redeemed people who can say, "I have been in a pit too, but let me tell you what the Lord did." This is why Christian fellowship matters so deeply. We are called to pray for one another, send Scripture, share testimony, and speak truth that helps hurting believers lift their eyes back toward Jesus. Praise also silences the enemy. Psalm 8 teaches that God ordains praise as strength against the enemy. The enemy may speak lies about our circumstances, our future, or even God's character, but praise answers those lies with truth. We do not encourage struggling people by telling them

Deception is not always obvious. It often contains elements of truth, uses familiar language, appeals to emotions, and sounds reasonable. This is why Christians must learn to test every message by the Word of God. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins examines 1 John 4:1 and explains how believers can recognize deceptive ideas in culture, media, false teaching, and even their own assumptions. He also provides four practical ways Christians can grow in biblical discernment: knowing Scripture deeply, requiring biblical grounding, thinking carefully about what they hear, and asking God for wisdom. God has not left His people without guidance. His Word provides the clear and unchanging standard Christians need to distinguish truth from error. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Eastern Orthodoxy appeals to many evangelicals because of its claims to ancient Christianity, historic continuity, liturgical beauty, and authoritative tradition. Yet its claims raise a fundamental question: When Scripture and tradition conflict, which one has the final word? Dave Jenkins is joined by Samuel Farag, author of Eastern Orthodoxy Through the Lens of Sola Scriptura, to examine the beliefs and theological structure of Eastern Orthodoxy according to the Word of God. They discuss the Orthodox understanding of Holy Tradition, the authority claimed for the church and ecumenical councils, icon veneration, teachings concerning Mary, monasticism, salvation, and the sufficiency of Scripture. They also explain why Christians should study church history while keeping every tradition, confession, and council subordinate to the final authority of God's Word. The episode concludes with practical encouragement for Christians speaking with friends and family members who are exploring Eastern Orthodoxy. Believers must define theological terms carefully, understand what the Orthodox Church officially teaches, remain prayerful, and proclaim the biblical gospel with clarity and compassion. For more from Contending for the Word please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

The sermon examines Matthew 8:1-4 to illustrate the approachability and compassion of Jesus Christ toward those burdened by sin and sickness. By analyzing the leper's interaction with Jesus, the message highlights four key aspects of effective prayer: boldness in approaching God, reverence in worship, specificity in requests, and confidence in His power. Brother Gleiser challenges believers to move beyond stagnant or 'skinny' prayers, urging them to bring their most impossible needs to a Lord who delights in answering faith-filled petitions. Through illustrative anecdotes and scriptural references, the text emphasizes that God cares deeply for His children and is capable of performing miracles when approached with genuine dependence and trust.

The clip illustrates the boundless nature of God's love by comparing it to a father tenderly repairing a broken doll for his crying child. It emphasizes that God views personal struggles through the lens of His affection, ensuring that no issue is too insignificant for His attention. The message encourages believers to bring their concerns directly to Him with confidence in His care. This perspective offers comfort by affirming that divine love extends to even the smallest details of human life.

Media is not merely entertainment. Every program, article, video, book, and social media post communicates ideas, values, and assumptions about life. Over time, repeated exposure can reshape what people consider normal, acceptable, and true. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins examines Philippians 4:8 and explains why Christians must think carefully about what they allow to influence their minds. Biblical discernment is not rooted in fear. It is the wisdom to evaluate everything according to the truth of God's Word. Christians should remain aware of how media shapes them, practice discernment about what they consume, intentionally fill their minds with Scripture, and ask the Lord for wisdom to think clearly. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Teaching on 1 Timothy 5:3-8

This sermon explores the theological significance of Christ's incarnation as the ultimate act of divine humility. By contrasting the self-exaltation of earthly rulers like Caesar and Herod with Jesus' voluntary descent from glory to a manger, the text highlights God's power to humble the proud and exalt the meek. The preacher emphasizes that acknowledging human limitations and dependence on grace is essential for true spiritual health. Drawing from Philippians 2 and Daniel 4, the message argues that Christ's humility serves as the model for believers to exhibit self-sacrificing love toward others. Ultimately, the sermon calls the congregation to respond to this grace by practicing mutual care, prayer, and genuine concern within the community of faith.

Join us as we begin our study of 1 Thessalonians—one of the earliest New Testament letters. Written by Paul to a young church in a bustling pagan city, it offers encouragement, correction, and hope to new believers facing pressure, questions about those who died before Christ's return, and the challenge of living holy lives. This short, five-chapter letter is packed with pastoral care and theological depth, revealing what early Christian life looked like just decades after the resurrection. Today, in this introduction we'll explore the author, historical setting, context, and major theological themes addressed in this lively letter..

This is the concluding section that started back in Philippians 1:27. The believers are to contend for the gospel. They are to stand together in one mind. Unity is key in holding forth the gospel. Paul desired unity between the believers, because disunity was a discredit the gospel. He was willing to address two woman at Philippi. They had been important in the gospel going forth. However, they were disunified with one another. It was important for the woman to take care of their differences and if they could not, the church was to step in to bring unity. When people are focused on Christ and unified around Him, they can have real joy.

To study the book of Daniel, it is helpful to consider the historical context. God raised Daniel up as a prophet in the most ruinous of times among His people: the times of wicked kings, exile, and the mourning of a remnant. God, however, is sovereign and still cares about His people.

This class will carefully explore and equip regarding the constant Christian tension of being "in the world, but not of the world," by exploring core Scriptures, common temptations, and heart / habit protections given us in Christ.

This sermon explores Jesus' declaration in John 10 that He is the door to the sheepfold, emphasizing His role as the exclusive path to salvation. The preacher contrasts this divine provision with human attempts to reach God through works or false teachings, highlighting the necessity of trusting in Christ alone for entry into eternal life. By examining the cultural context of shepherds and the security of a locked door, the message underscores the authenticity of Jesus' voice against counterfeit prophets. It encourages believers to familiarize themselves with Scripture to discern truth and find safety in God's protective care. Ultimately, the sermon invites listeners to enter through Christ to receive abundant life and secure protection under His guidance.

The sermon defines biblical holiness not as mystical separation or ritualistic purity, but as being set apart to God and expressed through love for others. Drawing primarily from Leviticus 19, the text argues that the law serves to illustrate what love looks like in practical daily interactions, including honoring parents, caring for the poor, and respecting neighbors. The central message emphasizes that failures to keep God's commands are fundamentally failures of love, which indicate a lack of spiritual life. Believers are called to reflect God's character by loving their neighbors as themselves, demonstrating that true holiness is rooted in the transformative power of divine grace rather than self-effort.

Theme: Believers should always remember the Lord is our omnipotent Creator, Giver, and Guider of life. As we consider this passage in Psalm 139 and think about the detailed design of the human body and how God has ordained every one of our days, we should be comforted regarding His intimate care and control over life and death. These truths are also connected to Jesus Christ; His days on earth were ordained by the Father for redemptive purposes. Ultimately, we as believers should praise God for His creative power and sovereign guidance, and trust in His perfect plan. God has sovereignly designed and gifted us for His glory. Let us rejoice in this and seek to go and do the good works He has planned for us! Let us not only rejoice in this truth for ourselves, but seek to share the gospel of eternal life with those around us and to the nations.

What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says we are "under the law," "under sin," or "under grace"? These expressions are foundational to understanding the book of Romans, yet they are often misunderstood. In this lesson, we will examine how Paul uses the word under in different contexts and discover that each phrase describes a person's relationship to God's covenant, the power of sin, and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. By tracing Paul's argument through Romans 2, 6, 7, and 8, we will learn the difference between being under the law's condemnation, under sin's enslaving power, and under the liberating reign of God's grace. We will also see why salvation is more than forgiveness of sins—it is deliverance from sin's dominion through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who enables believers to live in obedience to Christ. This lesson will help participants read Romans more carefully, avoid common misunderstandings about the Christian's relationship to God's law, and gain a deeper appreciation for the freedom and new life found in Christ.

Paul warns the Roman believers to watch carefully for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to apostolic doctrine. These people may speak persuasively and appear religious, but they do not serve Christ. The church must recognize them by their true master, deceptive method, and intended mark

Preventative Care: The Ordinary Means of Soul Health Selected Scriptures Big Idea: The health of your soul is not maintained by accident; God gives ordinary means of preventative care, and wisdom asks: how are you doing? 1. Own God's Standard of Care (2 Timothy 3:16–17) 2. Prioritize the Regular Checkup (Hebrews 10:24–25) 3. Cultivate a Faithful Care Network (Proverbs 18:24) 4. Invite Preventative Intervention (Proverbs 27:6)

1. Pursue God's Presence Now a. Run to Him for Refuge b. Submit to His Good Reign c. Delight in Godly Fellowship d. Flee Worldly Idolatry e. Treasure Him Above All Else f. Trust His Sovereign Care g. Rest in His Perfect Counsel 1. Enjoy God's Presence Forever a. He Will Give You Eternal Life b. You Will Walk in Eternal Joy

The sermon defines biblical worship as a comprehensive act of honoring God through regulated means rather than mere emotional expression or musical style. Drawing from the Ten Commandments and Deuteronomy, it argues that worship must adhere strictly to Scripture, emphasizing reverence, the right object of adoration, and the proper timing on the Lord's Day. The preacher contrasts this with contemporary cultural influences that prioritize personal feeling over divine glory, urging believers to realign their hearts with God's character every Sunday. Additionally, the message warns against relying on tradition alone, advocating for a careful balance between preserving historic church practices and adhering to biblical authority. Ultimately, true worship involves ascribing glory to God in spirit and truth, resulting in spiritual growth and Christ-likeness for the entire congregation.

This sermon explores Psalm 8, contrasting the vast majesty of God's creation with His intimate care for humanity. The preacher uses the example of astronaut Gordon Cooper and personal anecdotes to illustrate how God establishes strength through weakness and grants humans dominion over the earth. It argues that while humans often treat God like a vending machine or a relative, He is infinitely greater than His creation. The message emphasizes that true worship arises from recognizing this immense gap between Creator and creature. Believers are called to be mindful of God's generosity and to reflect His glory through humble praise.

If you're skimming Scripture but staying spiritually dry, this message is for you. In "How to Approach Scripture," Pastor Steve Hereford shows how a diligent, Spirit-led, prayerful approach can turn Bible reading into truly meeting with God.

Scripture: James 1:19–27 Sermon: "Gospel Credibility" Guest Speaker: Pastor MJ Chang Date: July 26, 2026

The sermon explores the church as God's household, emphasizing that believers must conduct themselves with respect and care for one another. It focuses on 1 Timothy chapter five, challenging modern assumptions about leadership by interpreting 'elders' primarily as respected older members rather than a formal hierarchical office. The preacher argues for a biblical model of benevolence where the church supports destitute widows who are genuinely in need and committed to service, while relieving the congregation of burdening itself with younger widows who have family support. Additionally, the text redefines 'double honor' for elders as fair compensation for those whose age or infirmity prevents them from earning a living, rather than a salary for professional clergy. Ultimately, the message calls the church to prioritize genuine compassion and familial responsibility over institutional structures.

Php 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. Php 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. Php 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Php 2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Php 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Php 2:30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

This sermon examines Joshua 14 to illustrate the enduring nature of faith through the life of Caleb, who waited forty-five years for God's promise. The sermon emphasizes that true faith is not merely an initial act of belief but a sustained perseverance through long delays and hardships. By highlighting Caleb's unwavering trust in God's word despite the consequences of Israel's rebellion, the message encourages believers to rely on God's preservation rather than their own strength. The text challenges the church to value older saints as witnesses to God's faithfulness and to honor them with practical care. Ultimately, the sermon points to Christ as the superior mediator who secures an eternal inheritance for all who trust in His finished work.

Exposition of Ephesians | part 49

A new MP3 sermon from Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCA) is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: He Cares for You, (Part 1) Subtitle: 1 Peter Speaker: Ethan McConnell Broadcaster: Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCA) Event: Sunday - PM Date: 8/25/2024 Bible: 1 Peter 5:1-6 Length: 38 min.