Brooklyn Tabernacle - Audio Sermons Feed

Paul, the greatest Christian we know of, said, “Pray for me.” He had been to the third heaven and seen things he couldn’t even talk about, yet he asked ordinary Christians to pray for him and his ministry. How much more do we, pastors and lay people, need prayer? Let’s not let pride keep us from asking others to pray for us. As we ask, Jesus will work through us in power.

What problem are you facing? If God created the entire universe just by speaking it into existence, then no problem of ours is so big that He can’t handle it. Our God, who created everything out of nothing, is even tender enough that He sent Jesus to die for us and to touch our hearts with His grace and love. God never says to us, “I can’t do that.” Nothing is impossible with Him.

God is impressed by one thing: faith. Never once did Jesus say, “Wow, is that guy smart!” or “Did you hear the woman sing?” Instead, He commended people like David, Abraham, and Sarah, not because they were perfect, but because of their faith. These people banked their lives on God’s promises—and so should we. What’s concerning you today? Give it to the Lord, and honor God with your faith.

Some people don’t believe that Jesus rose from the dead. Others do, but it’s a mental belief that has very little effect on their lives. But then there are those who say to Jesus, “Stay with me, please. There’s something about being with You that changes everything.” Jesus didn’t die only to save us; He wants to have fellowship with us. Jesus is alive! Let’s walk with Him.

Too often we say, “I prayed on Tuesday, and now it’s Thursday, and nothing’s happened. God, where are You?” But we need to be like the men and women in the Bible who were commended for their faith. They so trusted God, so received His word to them, that they banked their lives on it. We can be confident and assured that whatever God has spoken to us, it is real. He will bring it to pass.

God doesn’t commend our intelligence; He knows everything. He doesn’t commend our wealth; He owns everything. He doesn’t commend our talents or abilities; He gave them to us! But faith? Childlike trust? That means so much to God. Stop worrying. Don’t be afraid. Whatever you’re going through today, put your hand in the hand of Jesus Christ, and say, “Lord, You have this.” And He does.

The Christian life begins with faith—but it also has to be lived out by faith. In other words, we have to persevere in trusting Jesus and not shrink back. If it wasn’t possible for us to shrink back from faith, why would God warn us in both the Old and New Testaments to endure? We can choose to panic or try to solve our own problems, or we can choose to trust the Lord. Let’s live by faith and see God deliver us.

There’s some funny business going on in Christian theology today. Since the Protestant Reformation, no one has ever said, like many Christians do today, “Fulfill your destiny, your dreams.” No. They said, “Do the will of God.” Our dreams could be whacked. In any decision or plan we need to make, we should say, “Lord, let me do Your will.”

When you trusted in Jesus, did you know that were signing up not just for peace and joy but also for suffering, persecution, and rejection? But Hebrews 10:35 encourages us: “Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” Our focus is on eternity! Are things shaky in your life? Hold on to God. The best is yet to come.

Have you ever worn a mask—acting one way in church and another way at home? That’s what the religious leaders of Jesus’ day did, and when Jesus called them out for it, they killed Him. We’re all guilty of hypocrisy in one way or another. But it doesn’t matter what people think; what matters is what God thinks. Whatever we’re going to be, let’s be real.

The Christianity of the Bible includes suffering. The early believers faced insults, persecution, the confiscation of their property—and they did it joyfully. Christianity isn’t measured by pleasure, money, possessions, or dreams and destinies. God give us the courage to say “Thank You, Jesus, that we are counted worthy to suffer for Your sake.”

Are you going through something hard and the enemy or some carnal Christian says, “What’s wrong with you? Look, if you aren’t getting well, there must be sin in your life," or, "You don’t have faith.” But the early believers went through a great conflict of suffering, and they endured. Problems don’t mean that you’re not right with God! Rejoice. If we endure with Christ, we will reign with Him.

Is it possible that a believer could fall away from the faith? Or is it once you’re saved, you’re always saved? The warning in Hebrews 10:26–31 is to believers—people who have experienced grace and are now insulting grace. But let’s remember, “The Lord will judge his people.” We aren't the judges. In the end, God’s going to settle everything.

Today’s passage is a warning—written to Christians. Why would God warn believers of judgment except to tell us, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling”? As Warren Wiersbe said, there are just enough warnings in the Bible that if we think we are standing firm, we should be careful that we don’t fall. Whatever our theology is, let’s stay close to Jesus today.

Today’s passage is highly debated by those who believe that once you’re saved, you can never lose your salvation. Others point to this passage to say that salvation can be lost. As we consider this, let’s remember that others are people whom Christ died for. We can leave things with Him. If we show mercy, we will receive mercy.

What does Easter save us from? Hell. As believers in Christ, the sobering reality of people facing eternity without God should stir our hearts. Jesus said that the road to destruction is broad and that many are on it. May the love of Jesus in us compel us to courageously share His gospel with others so that they too can be saved from darkness and brought to light.

Anytime a believer forsakes gathering with other Christians, unless there’s a physical reason that he or she can’t meet, that person is on the road to ruin. The gathering of the saints is of vital importance! In the midst of a dark and evil culture, we need each other. If you’ve given up meeting with other believers, come back. You can encourage others—and you will be encouraged too.

The test of a real relationship with the Lord is how we get along with people. Some of us say, “I love God. I just can’t stand people.” But Christians are not to isolate themselves from others. We are to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” We can spur others to love just by loving them. Why don’t we do it today?