Food on SermonAudio

This devotional explores the concept of spiritual maturity by contrasting infantile reliance on basic truths with the capacity for discernment found in solid food. It argues that true growth is not merely an accumulation of doctrinal knowledge but the practical application of biblical principles through constant practice. The preacher emphasizes that God desires hearts conformed to Christ's image rather than heads filled with contradictory facts. Spiritual maturity is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit, particularly love for God and neighbor, which flows from a life of obedience. Ultimately, believers are assured that God's grace actively works to persevere in their growth until they reach final salvation.

Planning to kill Jesus. The woman and her perfume. Judas' betrayal of Jesus. The Lord's Supper. The Garden and the prayer.

When the Cloud Moves and Cravings Rise Numbers 9–11 | Following the Lord Without Losing Our Appetite for His Ways This message examines Israel's departure from Mount Sinai, revealing how the Lord prepared, organized, guided, and provided for His redeemed people as they journeyed toward the Promised Land. Although they were surrounded by evidence of His faithfulness, their dissatisfaction soon overshadowed their gratitude, exposing the danger of allowing fleshly desires to govern the heart. God's Preparation and Guidance: Before moving Israel, the Lord established their worship, responsibilities, leadership, and order. When the cloud moved, they moved; when it rested, they rested. Their greatest privilege was not knowing their destination but knowing the One who was leading them. Moses' invitation to Hobab also demonstrates that trusting God's leadership does not eliminate the value of practical wisdom and the help of others. The Danger of Dissatisfaction: Shortly after departing Sinai, the people began complaining. Their cravings caused them to remember Egypt's food while forgetting Egypt's bondage. They despised the manna that sustained them, treating God's daily miracle as insufficient. Their dissatisfaction spread throughout the congregation, revealing how an ungrateful spirit can influence others and distort our understanding of God's goodness. When Cravings Become Our Master: Israel devoted extraordinary effort to gathering the quail they demanded, demonstrating how readily people can pursue fleshly desires while neglecting what God has already provided. The Lord gave them meat, but their rebellion brought judgment. Psalm 106:15 captures the warning: "And he gav

The return of Jesus with parables accompanying, encouraging His people to be ready. The setting up of the long-awaited Kingdom.

This sermon explores the spiritual sustenance found in doing the Father's will, contrasting the disciples' focus on physical hunger with Christ's focus on eternal purpose. The central message emphasizes that true nourishment for believers comes from obedience and engagement in God's redemptive work, rather than from worldly comforts or visible results. The preacher highlights the urgency of the present moment, urging the audience to recognize that the spiritual harvest is already ripe and requires immediate attention rather than delayed action. By examining the concepts of shared joy between sowers and reapers and the inheritance of previous labor, the message encourages humility and perseverance in evangelism. The tone is both convicting and encouraging, challenging listeners to look beyond their immediate circumstances to see the broader scope of God's saving work and to respond with faith and action.

Jesus speaks of end times in a way that seems hidden to the Western church.

The great day of questions. Jesus meets every challenge with Divine wisdom. Then, a burning expose of the Pharisees.

What will actually happen when Jesus Christ returns? Who are the mysterious "powers of the heavens" that will be shaken at His Second Coming? And what does Jesus' teaching in Mark 13:24–27 tell us about the Tribulation, final judgment, the rapture, the resurrection, and the return of Christ? In this message, we take a deep dive into Jesus' stunning prophecy in the Olivet Discourse and examine His description of the glorious Second Coming. Jesus says that "the Son of Man" will come in the clouds with great power and glory, and that He will send His angels to gather His elect from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. This passage raises profound questions about the end times. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-star rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, and host of the Food For Your Soul radio broadcast. Along the way, I also earned a Master of Sacred Literature and a Doctor of Religious Studies. For more content from D. Richard Ferguson, visit TreasuringGod.com. Follow on social: • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrell.r.ferguson/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.DRichardFerguson

Joseph had every reason to retaliate against the brothers who betrayed him, yet he chose mercy instead. When his brothers arrived in Egypt desperate for food, Joseph tested their hearts rather than exposing them to shame or punishment. He provided grain, returned their money, and sent them home with provisions, none of which they had earned. This mirrors the grace described in Ephesians 2, where God, rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ even while we were dead in our sin. The brothers' growing conviction over their past wrong reflects how genuine repentance works. Transformation, not perfection, is the evidence that mercy has truly been received. Those who have genuinely experienced God's forgiveness will find that mercy flowing outward toward others, even those who have caused deep pain. God's plans run deeper than our pain, and the mercy He extends to us is meant to move through us to the people around us.

The sermon contrasts the empty ritual of the 'sacrifice of fools' with the profound spiritual reality of true sacrifice and sustenance found in Christ. By examining Old Testament types such as the Passover lamb, manna, and Abel's offering, the text illustrates how physical rituals prefigure the necessity of partaking in Jesus' body and blood for salvation. It emphasizes that mere external observance without faith is ineffective, urging believers to seek daily spiritual nourishment rather than superficial religious acts. The message highlights that just as physical food sustains the body, Christ serves as the living bread that provides eternal life and spiritual growth. Ultimately, it calls for a faithful engagement with God's Word, moving beyond mere tradition to a genuine, faith-filled relationship with the Savior.

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." 11 So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight." 13 Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

The sermon analyzes the Israelites' complaint in Numbers 11, illustrating how their craving for worldly comforts led to spiritual starvation rather than fulfillment. By contrasting the divine provision of manna with their lust for Egyptian foods, the text highlights the danger of forgetting God's past works and prioritizing earthly desires. The narrative demonstrates that receiving exactly what one asks for can result in 'leanness of soul,' a state of spiritual emptiness despite physical abundance. Drawing on Psalm 106 and 1 John 2:15, the message warns believers against loving the world's system and its fleeting pleasures. Ultimately, the central call is to reject worldly lusts and find true satisfaction by devoting oneself fully to God, who remains the ultimate reward.

In the Lord's Supper, Jesus sets the table, serves the food, and sustains his guests.

We take some time to listen to a recent chapel service held at Bob Jones University

Jesus enters Jerusalem, accepted by the crowds, rejected by the establishment. More parables.

Strait of Hormuz Gridlock: Energy Shock & Conflict Escalation. We are joined by Michael Snyder (Author; Attorney). Topics discussed include: Naval Standoff & The Gridlocked Waterway. Strategic Reserve Depletion & Infrastructure Impacts. Cascading Supply Chain & Food Security Risks. Global Power Realignments & Strategic Outcomes.

What rewards to expect. Two disciples ask for a special place. Two blind men healed.

Paul Dragu is senior editor at The New American. He's an award winning reporter and host of The New American Daily. He is writer of Defector: A True Story of Tyranny, Liberty and Purpose. Increasing pressure is coming from the United Nations on countries around the world. They are fully vested in seeing Agenda 2030 fulfill its intended goals. It's they who want control and are targeting national sovereignty. It's they who want to call the shots on food, healthcare, gender equality, energy, housing, education and the list goes on. Of recent, the UN's Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination published a document calling for immediate "financial compensation, educational initiatives and institutional reforms to remedy what they refer to as the harms that persist today as a result of the transatlantic slave trade." Additionally, the UN is demanding immediate action be taken by the nations of the world as it pertains to so-called climate change. If the U.N. is "designed to be the nervous center of a world government" we shouldn't be surprised at Paul's conclusion, that the U.N. wants a complete overhaul of society. This includes micromanaging us, which involves cooperation between corporations and government as well as cooperation between individual governments. More Information: thenewamerican.com

Pastor Mark Hogan teaches on the fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer, 'Give us this day our daily bread' (Matthew 6:11), the first petition that addresses physical, temporal needs. He explains that 'bread' is a synecdoche for all bodily sustenance, citing Genesis 3:19, Psalm 104:15, Psalm 132:15, and the Heidelberg Catechism, and notes the request is deliberately modest—today's necessities, not riches—paralleling Agur's prayer in Proverbs 30:8. Hogan says the petition cultivates daily prayer, dependence on God's providence, contentment (1 Timothy 6:8), gratitude modeled on Jesus's mealtime thanksgivings, generosity toward needy believers (James 2), sanctified enjoyment of God's gifts (Psalm 104, Ecclesiastes), and prayerful labor, as in Moses's plea to 'establish the work of our hands'—the opposite of Nebuchadnezzar's boast. Believers should pray this petition confidently (Psalm 37:25; 34:9) and seek provisions so they may hallow God's name and seek His kingdom (1 Corinthians 10:31). Practically, parents should teach children that food on the table is a product of God's beneficence, to be received thankfully without grumbling like Israel craving Egypt's food. He closes with Ursinus's warning that the petition restrains 'raging and boundless desires,' echoing Matthew Henry: 'nature is content with little, grace with less, lust with nothing.'

Jesus explains forgiveness by a parable. Divorce. What to do to live forever?

Offending little ones. Offending a brother. Dealing with offenses.

What would it take to become a truly great thinker—not by the world's standards, but by God's? In 2 Peter 3, the apostle writes with deep affection to stir something in you—a way of thinking that will protect you from being deceived and draw you into deeper and deeper closeness with God. This sermon on 2 Peter 3:1–3 explores what it means to develop a mind governed by Scripture rather than by the desires of the flesh. Peter calls believers to "pure thinking"—not merely thinking about pure subjects, but learning to think, reason, evaluate, and make decisions according to God's truth. The world often measures thinking by IQ, education, creativity, logic, knowledge, or the ability to solve complex problems. But God's definition of great thinking is different. According to Peter, the greatest thinkers are those whose minds are directed by the Word of God. Your thoughts are constantly moving from one idea to another. The crucial question is: **What is steering the progression of your thoughts?** Are your thoughts being directed by Scripture and the will of God, or are they being driven by your desires? In this message, we examine the difference between flesh-driven thinking and Scripture-driven thinking, and we consider how our desires can influence the conclusions we are willing to accept. Peter warns that false teachers and scoffers follow their own evil desires, eventually using their desires to reject the truth of Christ's return, final judgment, and the authority of God's Word. ## In This Sermon - What Peter means by "pure thinking" in 2 Peter 3:1. - The meaning and importance of the Greek word *dianoia*, referring to the mind, understanding, or way of thinking.

Jesus tells of His coming death more than once. The transfiguration. Peter's misunderstandings. A demoniac healed and the people's (disciples'?) lack of faith rebuked.

Why does Jesus tell His followers to run when the "abomination of desolation" appears? Can you outrun God's judgment—and if God's wrath is not directed at His people, why does Jesus tell them to flee and pray? Jesus moves from the "beginning of pains" to the terrifying period of tribulation associated with the abomination of desolation. In the Olivet Discourse, we examine what the abomination of desolation means, its connection to Daniel, its partial fulfillment in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, and its apparent future fulfillment at the end of the age. We also explore the Great Tribulation, the Antichrist, God's purpose in judgment, and the surprising biblical connection between tribulation and God's mercy. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-star rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, and host of the Food For Your Soul radio broadcast. Along the way, I also earned a Master of Sacred Literature and a Doctor of Religious Studies. For more content from D. Richard Ferguson, visit TreasuringGod.com. Follow on social: • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrell.r.ferguson/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.DRichardFerguson

Verse by verse exposition through the book of Hebrews. (Sermon also includes the reading and exhortation from the Lord's Table liturgy) Heb 12:15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. Deut 29:18 so that there may not be among you man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations, and that there may not be among you a root bearing bitterness or wormwood; 19 and so it may not happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he blesses himself in his heart, saying, 'I shall have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my heart'—as though the drunkard could be included with the sober.

Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 10 27. Q. What do you understand by the providence of God? A. God's providence is his almighty and ever present power, 1 whereby, as with his hand, he still upholds heaven and earth and all creatures, 2 and so governs them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, food and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, 3 indeed, all things, come to us not by chance 4 but by his fatherly hand. 5 1. Jer 23:23, 24; Acts 17:24-28. 2. Heb 1:3. 3. Jer 5:24; Acts 14:15-17; Jn 9:3; Prov 22:2. 4. Prov 16:33. 5. Mt 10:29. 28. Q. What does it benefit us to know that God has created all things and still upholds them by his providence? A. We can be patient in adversity, 1 thankful in prosperity, 2 and with a view to the future we can have a firm confidence in our faithful God and Father that no creature shall separate us from his love; 3 for all creatures are so completely in his hand that without his will they cannot so much as move. 4 1. Job 1:21, 22; Ps 39:10; Jas 1:3. 2. Deut 8:10; 1 Thess 5:18. 3. Ps 55:22; Rom 5:3-5; 8:38, 39. 4. Job 1:12; 2:6; Prov 21:1; Acts 17:24-28.

What goes in and what comes out of, the mouth. A woman called a dog? 4,000 plus, fed. The leaven of the Pharisees. Peter's great confession.

Meaning of the parable of the tares. The Hidden Treasure. A costly Pearl. A Dragnet. John the Baptist beheaded. Over 5,000 fed miraculously. Jesus walks on water, and so does Peter... for a while.

Parables. The four soils. The Tares. The Mustard Seed. The leaven. And, why parables to begin with?

Sabbath problem. What power was casting out demons? The unpardonable sin. Seeking for a sign. Who was Jesus' mother?

Rewards. What Jesus thought of John the Baptist. Warnings to cities of Jesus' day. The great invitation!

What if the persecution you experience for following Christ is not merely something to survive—but an opportunity God can use to advance the gospel? In Mark 13:9–13, Jesus prepares His disciples for persecution, arrest, trials, betrayal, hatred, and opposition because of His name. Yet His warning comes with an extraordinary purpose: persecution can become a platform for preaching the gospel, even before governors, kings, and the powers of this world. In this in-depth study of Mark 13:9–13, we examine Jesus' teaching on the Beginning of Pains, persecution, gospel proclamation, perseverance, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the relationship between the events surrounding AD 70 and the Second Coming of Christ. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, and host of the Food For Your Soul radio broadcast. Along the way, I also earned a Master of Sacred Literature and a Doctor of Religious Studies. For more content from D. Richard Ferguson, visit TreasuringGod.com. Follow on social: • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrell.r.ferguson/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.DRichardFerguson

1) We should expect apostasy A. False Doctrine B. False Teachers C. False Holiness 2) and we should live gratefully for Christ's salvation C. True Holiness B. True Teachers A. True Doctrine

The Israelites have survived one life-threatening challenge after another. They are now entering a quieter season in which they will enjoy a semblance of relief from the surrounding threats. They have food; they have water; and they are not currently under attack. For a time, all too brief, they celebrate the goodness of God to them in providing for their needs and protecting them from their enemies. Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brings Moses' wife and children to rejoin them at the camp, and he and Moses enjoy a time of worship together as they reflect togheter on all God has done to redeem His people. Sadly, even as the external stresses are easing, the Israelites immediately begin experiencing internal, intracommunal stresses of personal conflicts with one another. As for Moses, he finds himself in another difficult predicament as he is tasked with presiding over these quarrels. From morning till evening, the people bring their greivances to Moses. It goes on and on. Seeing the taxation this was already inflicting upon Moses, Jethro pleads with him to divide up the work of judgment. Through all this, God is introducing a new challenge. Even when our circumstances are favorable, humans will find reasons to be discontent and to fight with one another. The hardships of life in a fallen world are seemingly limitless. Meanwhile, God remains devoted to His people and will once again provide for them in His way and time, by providing help for Moses, by giving the Law on Mt. Sinai, and by eventually rescuing His people from their inability to fulfill the Law...through Christ. It is another beautiful picture of our need for the Gospel.

The names of the 12. Their first commission and challenges by the Master.

About fasting. Healings: A daughter that was or seemed dead. A woman with internal bleeding. a demon-possessed mute. Wonderful Jesus!

Saved from drowning; saved from demons; saved from sin and paralysis; saved from Pharisees. The Savior at work.

Comfort in the Kingdom Let's Summarize The Message "Comfort in the Kingdom" teaches that biblical comfort is much deeper than simply feeling comfortable or having our circumstances improved. Earthly comforts—food, warmth, home, rest, familiar surroundings—may soothe us temporarily, but kingdom comfort strengthens us to remain faithful to Jesus in the middle of hardship. God does not always remove the trouble; often He comforts us by giving us truth, people, perspective, courage, and hope so we can stand in it. Using 1 Thessalonians, the message shows how remarkable the work of grace is experienced and expressed among the church at Thessalonica. Paul had only a short time with them before persecution forced him away, yet they flourished because the gospel had genuinely transformed them. They learned quickly that following Christ would include affliction, but they also possessed the great hope woven through the entire letter: Jesus came, Jesus saved them, and Jesus is coming again. The message highlights seven expressions of kingdom comfort: 1. Tender and tough instruction — 1 Thessalonians 2:7–12. Paul ministered like both a nursing mother and a faithful father. He invited people close, instructed them in truth, and showed them by his own life how to walk with God. True discipleship is not merely giving information; it is saying, "Come walk with me. Let me show you how this truth works in life." The hunting experiences with Nate illustrate this: some things cannot merely be explained—they have to be learned by walking beside someone and putting truth into practice. 2. Trustworthy fellowship in the gospel — 1 Thessalonians 3:1–5. Because Paul was concerned about the

Jesus heals with a touch, casts out demons with a word!

Teachings about treasure, anxiety, judging, the golden rule, prayer, fruit, false prophets, last day surprises... all from the lips of Jesus.

What does Jesus want Christians to think when wars, earthquakes, famines, persecution, and false teachers dominate the headlines? In Mark 13:5-8, Jesus gives His disciples a crucial warning: "Watch out that no one deceives you," and "do not be alarmed." He describes a period called the "beginning of pains"—a time when His followers will face deception, disasters, and persecution while continuing the mission of preaching the gospel to the nations. In this study of Mark 13:5-8, we examine what Jesus meant by the beginning of pains and whether these events point to the destruction of Jerusalem, the Second Coming, or an unfolding prophetic process that began in the first century and continues until Christ returns. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, and host of the Food For Your Soul radio broadcast. Along the way, I also earned a Master of Sacred Literature and a Doctor of Religious Studies. For more content from D. Richard Ferguson, visit TreasuringGod.com. Follow on social: • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrell.r.ferguson/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.DRichardFerguson

The sermon explores Solomon's exhaustive pursuit of satisfaction through wisdom, pleasure, and wealth as recorded in Ecclesiastes. It highlights his realization that earthly achievements and accumulated riches are ultimately fleeting and cannot prevent death or guarantee a wise legacy for future generations. The preacher emphasizes that true contentment is found not in material abundance but in the simple daily blessings of food, rest, and joy provided by God. By contrasting Solomon's vast resources with the inevitability of mortality, the message encourages listeners to reject the vanity of hoarding wealth and instead trust in divine provision. The central theme urges a shift from striving for lasting earthly legacy to appreciating the present gifts of wisdom and joy.

The sermon addresses the false teaching creeping into the Colossian church, which combined Jewish legalism with pagan mysticism to suggest that Christ was insufficient for spiritual maturity. The preacher contrasts these shadowy regulations regarding food, festivals, and asceticism with the substantial reality found in Jesus Christ alone. He argues that such practices foster pride, divisiveness, and judgmentalism rather than true unity and holiness. True Christian maturity is defined not by external rituals but by holding fast to Christ as the head of the body. The message calls believers to reject human traditions that disqualify others and to rest in the complete sufficiency of Christ's work for salvation.

In this sermon from John 4:31-42, Pastor Rockhill draws the church back to Jesus' conversation at Jacob's well, where a simple request that Jesus eat becomes an opportunity to teach the disciples about the heart of evangelism. His central burden is that doing the will of God is the true food that sustains the believer, just as it sustained Christ, who came to finish the work the Father sent Him to accomplish. Pastor Rockhill shows that God's revealed will in Scripture is our daily spiritual nourishment, guiding how we live even while the secret things remain in God's hands. From this flows the great work of the church: the Great Commission. He explains that the harvest is not four months away but ready now, already prepared by the Spirit, as the crowd of Samaritans streaming from the city vividly illustrates. He presses the doctrine of God's sovereignty in salvation. Believers cannot compel anyone to believe; they are called simply to be faithful, whether sowing or reaping, trusting that God's Word never returns void but accomplishes His purpose, whether unto salvation or judgment. There is no room for jealousy among laborers, only shared joy and eternal reward. The message, modeled by the Samaritan woman, is a humble testimony of what Christ has done. Pastor Rockhill urges every believer to lift up their eyes and see the fields—neighbors, coworkers, family, and children—ripe for harvest, and to go faithfully for God's glory alone.

We begin the New Testament with a review of the Old by way of genealogy! Then the entry of Jesus, from conception to the visit of the Magi.