Thinking on SermonAudio

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.

Many men compulsively side with women, whether they're right or wrong. But we should be more jealous for God's honor than women's, and more fearful of what He thinks. The dads talk about the white knight mentality, and ask: don't women deserve special honor? How biblical is "happy wife, happy life?" Can you really keep the peace without obedience to the gospel of peace? And what should you do if there's a tug-of-war for control in your marriage?

The world continually pressures Christians to adjust, compromise, or redefine the truth. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins examines the command of 1 Corinthians 16:13 to be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act with courage, and remain strong. Standing firm in truth means thinking biblically, living consistently, speaking clearly, and acting humbly in every area of life. Christians do not stand through their own strength but through the grace of Christ as they remain rooted in Him and grounded in the Word of God. Faithfulness is not about perfection but direction: walking step by step and day by day in God's truth. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Every day, Christians encounter ideas through conversations, entertainment, social media, education, and the surrounding culture. Some ideas are true, while others are misleading. Many false ideas are especially dangerous because they initially sound reasonable and persuasive. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

David Lloyd is the father of Davy Lloyd. He's a graduate of Ozark Bible Institute and College. After marriage to his wife Alicia, they moved to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in order to pursue their missionary calling: a children's home under the name Missions in Haiti. They raised more than 100 children to adulthood, where hundreds of children are educated annually. As we read through the Scriptures, we see many occasions in which God miraculously delivered individuals from harm. We read of Daniel whom God sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions. There was Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego delivered from the fiery furnace. Queen Esther and her people were protected when it seemed they would be wiped out by those who hated the Jews. We think of Peter whom God sent an angel to open prison doors and Elijah who was protected by perhaps the most wicked king and queen of Israel. While some were delivered from death, others were delivered by death. Hebrews 11 writes of those who were stoned, sawn asunder, killed by the sword, or suffered in other situations. Why does God deliver some and not others? Job writes as recorded in Job 23:14, "For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him." We don't know the mind of God, but we do know God can be trusted and glorified in life or in death. Today's program is a true account of what happened just two years ago, as we learn about the simple service and the sudden sacrifice of martyrs in Haiti, and a family who had devoted themselves to serving the Lord at a Haitian children's home until their lives and that of a Christian co-worker were taken.

Many people think bad thoughts when they hear the word "authority". This is partly because the nature and heart of fallen man is to desire his own way, which leads him to fight against what an authority tells him to do. But authority was created by God for good. Without authority, the world falls into even greater evil. And while the unbeliever doesn't want to be told what to do, many authorities are unbelievers as well, and in their rebellion against God, they resist doing what God appointed them to do as authorities. This is true in families, in the church, and in the state. God appointed authorities for good; therefore, it is necessary that authorities remember what they were appointed to do.In many ways, authority is one of the most misunderstood concepts in the world today, and because of confusion in the church, it sometimes seems that the world, blind as it is, understands authority better than those who call themselves Christians. In this episode, we try to explain why each authority was appointed by God, and to better understand their purpose in the world. When fathers and mothers understand why they were appointed, the household becomes a more meaningful place. When elders and teachers and every member of the body understand how the church was put together by God, we can better serve the one who bought us. When presidents and legislators and judges and police officers understand why God has put them in their place, the city or state or nation grows in righteousness. Authority is good, and God made it for our good and for His glory. Please join us as we discuss this important topic.Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Yo

In this episode, John Unger sits down with Pastor Cogbill to answer recent listener questions regarding work and worship. How can we devote ourselves to our vocation, while working to the glory of God? How should we think about working in the context of unbelievers, and furthering projects or endeavors which are sinful or promote ungodliness? How should women feel about their vocation and calling, and the idea of "abandoning" their previous work and education to marry and serve the family in the home?

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/

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/

A word fitly spoken requires some thought, "reading the room" and common sense, but God's word can always be the right word when fitly spoken! https://bbfohio.com

The sermon challenges believers to move beyond passive attendance at church or youth camps toward active obedience to God's Word. Using the metaphor of a mirror, it illustrates that Scripture is intended not merely for information but for personal transformation and correction. The speaker warns against two common pitfalls: the deceived hearer who thinks listening is sufficient, and the distracted forgetter who allows worldly busyness to erase spiritual convictions. Instead, the message calls for a lifelong commitment to being a doer of the Word, emphasizing that true blessing comes from sustained action rather than temporary emotional experiences. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that spiritual encounters lead to enduring changes in daily life and consistent prayer.

Can you see the fruit that your faith in the Lord expresses? It will move you to pour out your heart to God in prayer. It will cause you to think lightly of and not put your confidence in men. It will also create a heart that is open and eager to listen to and obey God's Word.

The Lord Jesus always glorified His Father in heaven in the midst of all His sufferings and temptations. God will not always take away our sufferings and temptations but will show us how to bear them as His Son Jesus bore them and still glorified the Father. THE BIBLE Baptist Church of DeLand, Florida Pastor James W. Knox Pastor David A. Brown https://biblebaptistdeland.com For more sermons and Bible study materials, please visit our web store at https://store.jameswknox.org/ DeLand School of THE BIBLE: https://dsbkjv.com

As we look down through this passage and examine all the various pieces of armor which Christ has given us, we remember that there are certain pieces which are worn as clothing, which we "put on" in verses 14 and 15, and there are certain pieces which we "take up" found in verses 16-18. There are 3 of each. We find that of those that we take up, only one of them is a weapon and that is our focus this afternoon. The weapon of choice for every Christian is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. I think that it will do us well to remember that prayer is not a weapon but rather the offering up of our desires to God for things agreeable to His will. It is communication; a request for help and reinforcements for ourselves and others who are soldiers in the spiritual battle. We are not to "take up" prayer, but to be praying always in the Spirit. We are, however, to take up the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, and use it in prayer and in fighting the battles of the Lord. When David was fleeing from Saul in 1st Samuel 21 he came to the city of Nob, and he asked Ahimelech the priest for a sword and he told David that the only sword he had on hand was the sword of Goliath the Philistine. And David said, "There is none like it, give it to me." And as we come this study we can truly say of our sword – Truly there is none like it. The Word of God is given to the believer to use as a powerful weapon in spiritual battle. It is a powerful weapon for 2 reasons. 1st – Because it can be used defensively. 2nd – The Word of God is given to the believer to use offensively as well, in fighting the spiritual battle with the Lord's enemies and yours

Thesis: The law of God is good—- so good that it drives you to the end of yourself. Sin turns that good law into the very thing that condemns you. So stop looking to the law for what only Christ can give you: deliverance. THE SPIRITUAL LAW (V. 14A) A SEIZED MIND (V. 14B-20) A SAVING LORD (V. 24-25) Conclusion: The law is good. But a good law can't break sin's grip. Only a stronger power can 1. the law of God is good 2. you're weaker than you think 3. deliverance comes from outside you 4. the cry has already been answered

The Lord is able to perform that which He has promised. Are we able to believe that the Lord will do what He has promised to do? THE BIBLE Baptist Church of DeLand, Florida Pastor James W. Knox Pastor David A. Brown https://biblebaptistdeland.com For more sermons and Bible study materials, please visit our web store at https://store.jameswknox.org/ DeLand School of THE BIBLE: https://dsbkjv.com

What Would Jesus Think of Our Religion

The Importance of watching for Christ's Coming. Mark 13: 32-37 – "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is." We can see from these verses that no one except the Father in heaven is going to know the day or the hour in which our Lord will come back in His glorious Second Coming. Not even the Son, Himself knows; that is; according to His human nature. Even the angels do not know when He shall return. In verse 33, Jesus says that on this basis that we do not know, that we should be persons who take heed, and watch, and pray. For none of us knows when the time is. What kind of watching is the Lord Jesus looking for, from all Christian people? I believe that it is our looking to see if we are prepared to meet Him, through our death, which could really take place at any time. It is in this sense that He could come for us at any time. We should be ready and prepared to meet Him in the most important sense possible; that of thinking through whether we have not only repented of all of our sins, but that we have been praying about having a consistent walk with Him in righteousness and godliness, and have been cultivating consistent fellowship with Him each and every day of our Christian life.

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.

Genesis 48:14 records that Israel (Jacob) crossed his hands when he blessed Ephraim and Manasseh, blessing the younger over the older. Sometimes God directs our lives in a different way than we think, but if we always follow God's directions, our lives will be as God directs, not as we direct. Albert Sims wrote the public domain song, The Unseen Hand, in 1918 when he was 34 years old. Albert Sims was licensed to preach the gospel in 1925 at the age of 41 years old. He died in 1969 at the age of 85. In the song, Albert Sims speaks about how God has his hand on him, leading him, guiding him, and assuring him that as he lives in this troubled world, God will continue to lead him all the way to heaven's door, then he will be led through heaven's door into eternity. God will also lead us the same way he led thousands of Old Testament and New Testament believers through this evil land, causing us to finally rest eternally with him.

Philippians 4:8-9 offers profound guidance on cultivating a positive mindset and living a life aligned with Christian values. In these verses, Paul encourages believers to focus on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable, urging them to think about these virtues and practice them. This teaching emphasizes the importance of mental discipline and the transformative power of focusing on positive thoughts. By embodying these principles, believers not only enhance their spiritual growth but also set an example for others, promoting peace and righteousness in their communities. This passage serves as a reminder that our thoughts can shape our actions, making it essential to align our minds with God's truths.

Please consider how you can be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ through your financial support to the continued work of His Church in this time. Contributions can be made by PayPal by visiting our website ( faithbiblepres.org ) or by mailing your contribution to: Faith Bible Presbyterian Church 3001 Marian Dr. Trenton Mi 48183 "The Pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both." ~ John Calvin (July 10, 1509 - May 27, 1564). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~ NKJV John 10:27 "Satan's greatest success is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare" ~ John Owen (1616 - August 1683). "For the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ." ~ NKJV Rev. 1:9 Fᴀɪᴛʜ Bɪʙʟᴇ Pʀᴇsʙʏᴛᴇʀɪᴀɴ Cʜᴜʀᴄʜ ~ Tʀᴜᴇ Worship & Aᴜᴛʜᴇɴᴛɪᴄ Fᴇʟʟᴏᴡsʜɪᴘ ~ Faith Bible Presbyterian Church is a Bible believing and Christ honoring church that is committed to teaching|preaching the Word of God with diligence and authority. We stand for the historic Christian faith, and we welcome you to our services of worship. Won't you join us? faithbiblepres.org

"Expecting God to Be God" "Everything FROM and FOR Jesus must BE Predicated on a Promise" The message builds on the truth that "the fall of the faithful is not fatal" because God faithfully upholds His people. When believers stumble, become distracted, or drift into unbelief, recovery comes by returning to the Lord—committing ourselves to His commitment, allowing Him to establish our thoughts, and becoming occupied with Jesus again. A central picture is: "You drift where you dwell. You steer where you stare. You graze where you gaze. You linger where you look." Remember these: Where you stare, you will steer; where you gaze, you will graze." Whatever captures our attention eventually influences our direction and feeds our souls. Therefore, rather than allowing circumstances, frustrations, people, or legitimate limitations to govern us, believers are called to keep looking unto Jesus. The message describes the believer's "sweet spot" as a life of prayer, praise, pointing others to Jesus, and expecting God to fulfill what He has promised. Prayer keeps us dependent upon Him. Praise redirects our attention to His greatness and renders the enemy's accusations powerless. Pointing others toward Jesus allows what God has worked in us to become a blessing beyond us. Romans 4 and Abraham provide the central biblical example. Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. His faith was not positive thinking or wishful optimism. It was predicated on a promise from God. God spoke; Abraham believed Him. This establishes an important principle: Every work of grace is predicated upon a promise from God. Faith does not create the promise; faith receives and rests

Please consider how you can be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ through your financial support to the continued work of His Church in this time. Contributions can be made by PayPal by visiting our website ( faithbiblepres.org ) or by mailing your contribution to: Faith Bible Presbyterian Church 3001 Marian Dr. Trenton Mi 48183 "The Pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both." ~ John Calvin (July 10, 1509 - May 27, 1564). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~ NKJV John 10:27 "Satan's greatest success is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare" ~ John Owen (1616 - August 1683). "For the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ." ~ NKJV Rev. 1:9 Fᴀɪᴛʜ Bɪʙʟᴇ Pʀᴇsʙʏᴛᴇʀɪᴀɴ Cʜᴜʀᴄʜ ~ Tʀᴜᴇ Worship & Aᴜᴛʜᴇɴᴛɪᴄ Fᴇʟʟᴏᴡsʜɪᴘ ~ Faith Bible Presbyterian Church is a Bible believing and Christ honoring church that is committed to teaching|preaching the Word of God with diligence and authority. We stand for the historic Christian faith, and we welcome you to our services of worship. Won't you join us? faithbiblepres.org

Theme: We proclaim liberty because of the Jubilee. I. Political Liberty—political and economic liberty go together II. Economic Liberty A. Consider the Jubilee 1. Rest for the land: 25:11-12, 21 2. Return of hereditary land/property to the original families 3. Freedom of Israelites who sold themselves into slavery B. The Jubilee is not socialism; it is free enterprise capitalism III. Religious Liberty A. Inhabiting the land so they could worship God B. Observations 1. "No bishop, no king" 2. "The World Turn'd Upside Down" IV. Spiritual Liberty A. Relevance—this passage points to spiritual realities B. Relevance to you 1. Think of your needs and how Christ can set you free 2. This spiritual liberty is the best liberty of all 3. This liberty comes via Christ and His atonement 4. This liberty is received by faith alone Summary and Conclusion A. At least four kinds of liberty 1. Political, economic, religious, and spiritual 2. Each one serving as a foundation for the one before B. It is the proclamation of liberty that is to be heard C. I announce to you today that you can be free!

1:31 Is church membership biblical? 6:55 What happens to Christians when they die? (Live) 16:43 Should I leave a church and my family that goes there because they have a woman pastor? (Live) 23:57 How can I be assured that I'm saved when God is going to do what he is going to do? (Live) 35:57 Is it possible to have two followers of Christ who are unequally yoked? 39:48 Is the use of marijuana unbiblical? 43:08 I can't understand testimonies in my church because of heavy accents? 45:08 How do I respond to my husband who says he will love me when God calls him to? 45:56 How do I talk to someone who has studied the Bible deeply, but has rejected God? 49:20 Why don't we keep the festivals today, like they will in the Millennial Kingdom? 51:05 My wife forced a divorce on me, am I biblically allowed to remarry? 53:27 Do you think we will be soon living in a genderless society and will it be worse when the antichrist comes? 55:22 What does the Bible say about repentance?

The devotional examines Simon Magus's attempt to purchase spiritual power, highlighting Peter's rebuke of his twisted thinking and the necessity of repentance. It transitions to practical advice for discipling new believers through four key disciplines: reading the Bible, memorizing scripture, taking thoughts captive, and praying with specific promises. The speaker emphasizes that conversion does not instantly erase old mindsets, requiring intentional effort to replace carnal thoughts with God's truth. Personal testimony illustrates how these methods helped overcome learning disabilities and establish a lasting walk with Christ. Ultimately, the message urges believers to help others adopt divine thinking patterns to grow closer to God.

THEIR FALL IS NOT FATAL Recovering the Eyes of the Lord "Their Fall Is Not Fatal" (Psalm 37:23–24) This opening revival message begins by celebrating the joy of Christian fellowship, reminding believers that those who fear the Lord rejoice when they gather because they share a common hope in God's living Word (Psalm 119:74). From that foundation, the message asks the central question for the week: How do God's people recover when they drift from Him? Using Psalm 37:23–24, the message declares that while faithful believers will stumble, their falls are never final because the Lord Himself upholds them. Revival begins by recognizing that God has not abandoned His people; instead, He graciously calls them back through repentance. The message emphasizes that recovery is not found in trying harder but in making ourselves available to God's ability (Romans 12:1–2; Proverbs 16:3). When we commit our lives, plans, and works to Him, He establishes our thinking, renews our minds, and orders our steps. A major burden throughout the sermon is the importance of seeing life through God's eyes rather than the world's. Modern culture, social media, news, politics, and endless distractions can shape the believer's thinking if they are not continually renewed by God's truth. Revival begins when God's people exchange the world's perspective for the Lord's perspective. The message also explains biblical repentance as God's gracious gift. Repentance is more than sorrow; it is allowing God's living message to change the way we think, causing our attitudes, affections, and actions to align with Him. God continually refines His people by exposing false thinking with His light. Drawing f

The sermon explores the Christian's responsibility to intentionally manage their thought life as a critical component of spiritual growth and joy. Drawing primarily from Philippians 4:8-9, the text emphasizes that believers must actively cultivate thoughts that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy rather than merely avoiding negative inputs. This disciplined thinking is presented as the foundation for sanctification, where renewing the mind transforms affections, will, and ultimately destiny. The message further connects this mental discipline to obedient action, illustrating how committing one's works to the Lord establishes a cycle of right thinking and right living. By focusing on Christ and practicing biblical truths, believers experience the profound peace of God that transcends understanding.

Politics is an important part of life, but it must never become the foundation of the Christian's identity or hope. Christians belong first to Jesus Christ, and their political thinking must remain submitted to the truth of God's Word. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how Scripture shapes the Christian conscience and guides believers in political decisions. He also considers why Christians may reach different conclusions on some political matters, why not every issue carries the same biblical weight, and why political engagement should be marked by wisdom, humility, and grace. Listeners will be encouraged to keep their ultimate allegiance rooted in Christ, hold firmly to what Scripture teaches clearly, and demonstrate charity where faithful Christians may disagree. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

In this episode, Pastor Cogbill sits down with our Family Camp speaker, Alastair Roberts to discuss his talks on a theology of the sexes. In an age where the objective nature of a person's sex is being questioned, how ought Christians to think about the issue? To what degree is feminism to blame for the issues we're facing? How can we recover a biblical theology of the sexes? How does or doesn't that fit with all the talk about the need to recover masculinity and femininity, especially in our circles? Tune-in to find out!

I read a troubling stat, "Only 3 out of 10 Americans have ever had someone share the Gospel with them." This stat led me to think about us going and sharing the Gospel. Also, We discuss how willing we are to be discipled.

A lot of people believe in God. They know Bible stories. They go to church. They pray once in a while when life gets hard. They may even try to be kind, do the right thing, and live with good values. But there is a big difference between knowing about God and actually knowing God. That difference matters more than we sometimes realize. Many people think the Christian life is mostly about rules, routines, or trying harder. It can start to feel like checking boxes: read your Bible, say your prayers, go to church, be a good person. Those things matter, of course. But they are not the heart of Christianity. At its core, the Christian faith is about relationship. It is about fellowship with the living God.

It is very easy to get the church fathers wrong. From thinking that their doctrine was better or more pure, or that their proximity to Christ and the apostles gave them greater authority, there are many ways to go astray in considering their proper place in the church's history. And while Christ has used many men to lead his church, the primary means that He has used to mature and cleanse his bride is the leading of the Holy Spirit working through the power of His Word. One of the central concepts of the church is its corporate nature and that the church is Christ's bride, who is being made ready for him. But because we are often tempted to focus on individuals and their personal contributions and achievements, the church fathers often become a distraction from the corporate nature of the church and how Christ has made it more mature in both doctrine and practice. In this episode, we try to provide a biblical framework for thinking about God's love and care for the church without putting the wrong emphasis on the people he used. We also discuss how the church fathers are often used to make bad arguments about the church and its doctrine, particularly by the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox churches. Even the term "church father" gets used far too liberally by many, with the Roman Catholic church recognizing people as fathers as late as the eighth century (and, of course, they choose to elevate those whose writings support their favorite heresies).The church fathers deserve honor as the ones whom God used to lead the early church. But they do not deserve greater honor than other leaders who came after them. God has and is using different men to le

Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 16 Article 1 Do you think David was ignorant of Absalom's planned coup? The sermon explores the theological definition of good works, establishing that true goodness is measured solely by God's perfection and commanded in His Word rather than human standards. It contrasts this divine standard with the deceptive tactics of Absalom, who manipulated public perception to overthrow King David while claiming religious piety. The preacher analyzes how Absalom exploited legal grievances and created artificial problems to gain loyalty, illustrating the danger of spiritual arrogance and self-deception. By examining David's failure to address his family and kingdom, the message highlights human inability to meet God's righteous requirements without Christ's grace. Ultimately, the text calls believers to rely on Jesus as the perfect King and Savior who fulfills what humanity cannot achieve.

Do you have exclusive trust in your God and Savior? If you're honest, does your soul wait quietly for Him? Or are there other people or things on a list in your soul that your flesh would like to consider trusting first before Him? Think about this tonight- The value of your faith is determined by its object. Your faith is worthless if it isn't resting on the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Therefore, what do you need to do? Trust in Christ alone for your salvation!

Our text this morning leaves us with a pressing question: Who is this? The story we just read presents us with two perspectives on Jesus, dueling views that lead to dueling behaviors. Simon the Pharisee thinks one thing about Jesus; the sinful woman thinks the opposite. Rather than telling us in so many words that the sinful woman is right, Luke lets us listen to Jesus' responses to both characters. He has something to say to the Pharisee and the sinful woman — and therefore something to say to us as well. The commentators exclaimed over the beauty of this story, and well they might, for it is a godsend. Jesus shows us who He is, sharpening and focusing His identity by the very controversy over it. We will see confirmed what I hope we have already begun to know: that Jesus is the one whose saving forgiveness generates love, peace, and hospitality in the human heart.

In Mark 4:21-25, Jesus declares Himself to be the lamp who came to bring the kingdom of God to light. While Christ's identity and kingdom remain hidden to some, they will ultimately be revealed to all. We should examine how we receive God's word for spiritual understanding requires not only divine enablement but human effort. Those who diligently seek God's through His word will receive abundant understanding beyond their investment, while those who neglect it will lose even what they think they have.

Now right here… we're introduced to someone unexpected. It's not a king. It's not a warrior. It's not a priest. But instead… it's a woman named Deborah. Now… throughout church history... people have argued about Deborah. Some have tried to explain away her leadership. Others have tried to use Deborah… to make arguments… Scripture itself never makes. But folks... we just need to get out of the way… and simply let the Bible speak. The Bible presents Deborah with tremendous honor. She's called three things. First… Deborah Was a Prophetess. Now what does that mean? Folks… it means she spoke God's Word faithfully. Now we need to stop for a moment… and we need to understand what a prophet actually did. Most people hear the word "prophet"… and immediately think of someone who… predicts the future. Now… sometimes prophets did predict the future. But their primary responsibility… was something much greater. A prophet represented God… before the people. They proclaimed God's truth. They called people back to covenant faithfulness. They confronted sin. They encouraged obedience. Matthew Henry once wrote: "The greatest work of a prophet… is not foretelling the future, but bringing men… back to God." Folks... in Judges 4… that's exactly what Deborah was doing. Israel had forgotten God's Word. So God raised up somebody… who would faithfully proclaim it.

The world has been cleansed by the flood, and God has started over with one man who is "righteous and blameless", Noah. We might think that things would be different, but here in Noah's drunkenness and Ham's sin, we see that "the intention of man's heart is sinful from his youth." No amount of external cleansing on the outside can cure the sin and corruption within. What is needed is a new and greater Noah, from the lineage of Shem, the seed of the woman who will crush the serpent's head.

Please consider how you can be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ through your financial support to the continued work of His Church in this time. Contributions can be made by PayPal by visiting our website ( faithbiblepres.org ) or by mailing your contribution to: Faith Bible Presbyterian Church 3001 Marian Dr. Trenton Mi 48183 "The Pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both." ~ John Calvin (July 10, 1509 - May 27, 1564). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." ~ NKJV John 10:27 "Satan's greatest success is in making people think they have plenty of time before they die to consider their eternal welfare" ~ John Owen (1616 - August 1683). "For the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ." ~ NKJV Rev. 1:9 Fᴀɪᴛʜ Bɪʙʟᴇ Pʀᴇsʙʏᴛᴇʀɪᴀɴ Cʜᴜʀᴄʜ ~ Tʀᴜᴇ Worship & Aᴜᴛʜᴇɴᴛɪᴄ Fᴇʟʟᴏᴡsʜɪᴘ ~ Faith Bible Presbyterian Church is a Bible believing and Christ honoring church that is committed to teaching|preaching the Word of God with diligence and authority. We stand for the historic Christian faith, and we welcome you to our services of worship. Won't you join us? faithbiblepres.org

The sermon examines artificial intelligence through a theological lens, distinguishing between human identity created in God's image and AI's mere linguistic processing. It argues that while AI exhibits emergent intelligence, it lacks a soul, self, or genuine understanding, often resulting in hallucinations and suggestibility. The speaker identifies three primary dangers: dependence on tools that dull critical thinking, delusion from anthropomorphizing machines, and domination through the illusion of inevitable technological power. Drawing on Mark 13, the message urges believers to prioritize the health of their souls and spiritual responsibilities over societal disruptions. Ultimately, Christians are called to use AI wisely for tasks like translation while remaining grounded in their distinct, God-given identity.

Today we want to think together about watchfulness in terms of what we are spiritually working at, and building with our life. Each one of us is building something with his life and with his or her works after they become a Christian. It is important that we take heed how we are building. 1. Christ laid the foundation for His Church. Every Christian must watch to see that they build upon that foundation. Proposition: The foundation which each of us builds upon is Christ's finished work of righteousness and His sufferings on our behalf. This foundation that we rest upon by faith is the basis of all of our character development and all of the good works that we do for God. It is all done because of His grace and His Holy Spirit working in our life. But we must watch to see whether our work is proceeding from His instructions which are found in the Bible.

In this sermon, we walk through three main points: 1) God is our dwelling place; 2) Our lives are shorter than we think; 3) The shortness of life and the wrath of God should motivate us to live well.

A new MP3 sermon from Mt. Zion Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Progression of Sinful Thinking & Actions Subtitle: Manipulation Exposed Speaker: Pastor Keith Sweitzer Broadcaster: Mt. Zion Baptist Church Event: Sunday School Date: 8/25/2024 Length: 36 min.