Brooklyn Tabernacle - Audio Sermons Feed

We are in an invisible power struggle every single day. Satan uses people to discourage, distract, and depress us. But God offers us His power to overcome! That’s why Paul encouraged us to put on the whole armor of God. With this armor, we can stand in the Lord’s power against the schemes of the devil.

Too often we don’t use what God has given us. We don’t give, serve, share, shine our lights. But Jesus said that if we use what we have, more will be given us—and if we don’t use it, it will be taken away. It’s God’s reverse welfare. Whatever God has blessed us with, let’s use it, share it, shine it, go after it, and more will be given to us.

“Pay close attention to what you hear.” That’s what Jesus said. Every time we pick up the Bible, go to church, read a spiritual book, we should pray, “Oh, God, give me ears to hear.” Why? Because when we really listen, God will teach us more. Let’s listen carefully today!

Whatever God gives us is for other people. That’s why Jesus said, “A lamp isn’t put under a basket! It’s put on a stand, where its light can shine.” What are we doing with the light God has given us? He teaches us so we can teach others. He encourages us so we can encourage others. Let’s let our light shine today, in Jesus’ name.

As Christians, we rejoice in many beautiful truths. But there’s another truth that’s not so convenient: when we become believers in Jesus, we get into the biggest fight we can imagine. Satan wants to destroy us. That’s why the Bible says, “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty strength.” Our strength won’t cut it. Yes, we’re in a fight. But Jesus in us is greater than any power that can come against us.

We can read the Bible and never get to Jesus. But Jesus said, “He who has an ear, let him hear.” Hear what? What the living Christ is saying to us through the Word or by His Spirit. The Word is supposed to point us to Jesus Himself. Let’s ask the Lord today to tune our ears to hear Him speaking to us.

The Word of God is powerful. But if it’s going to bear fruit in our lives, it has to get into our hearts. As we read God’s Word each day, let’s pray, “God, help me to hear what You’re saying in that verse, and let it get deep inside me.” When the Word goes deep into the soil of our hearts, we’ll start seeing changes in our lives without even trying to make them happen.

Ron Hicks was sentenced to life in prison. But in that hopeless situation, he heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, and he was transformed by the power of God. After decades preaching Christ in prison, he was miraculously released. Now he asks us, “Is there anything too hard for God?” No matter our story, God can transform us in Jesus. There is nothing impossible with God.

The Word of God is all powerful. But Jesus said that thorns can choke it out and make us unfruitful. What are the thorns? “The worries of this life, deceitfulness of wealth and desires for other things.” Let’s pray, “Lord, don’t let worries and material desires crowd out what You want to do in my life.”

Some people receive the Word of God with joy. But when trouble or persecution come, they give it up. They’re shallow. But God is always trying to take us deeper. Let’s open wide our hearts today and say, “Lord, let Your Word go deep within my heart.”

When some people hear the Word of God, it doesn’t sink in. Satan quickly distracts them. “Nah, don’t listen to that. You don’t want to be a holy roller.” For the Word of God to bear fruit in our lives, it has to sink into our hearts through acceptance, meditation, and faith in Christ. Let’s not let Satan steal the Word of God from us today.

What releases God’s power in our lives? Faith. When a woman who had been sick for twelve years had the faith to touch Jesus, He healed her. What do you need from Jesus today? Look to Him. Reach out to Him today. When we have the courage to believe Jesus, He will minister to our needs.

Who is closest to Jesus? In Mark 3, it wasn’t His mother or His brothers. It was whoever did God’s will. That means obeying the Word of God and also following the personal, individual promptings of His Holy Spirit. Do we want to be in intimate, close, fellowship with Jesus? Then let’s, by His grace, do God’s will.

“Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” What does that mean? Jesus is represented on earth today by the Holy Spirit. If we reject the Spirit’s conviction, His voice, His work in our lives, then there’s nothing left except eternity without God. Let’s enjoy the presence and power of the Holy Spirit and be wide open to all He wants to do in our lives.

Logic says that the more we have, the better. But God has a different math. Obedience to God sometimes costs us, but it’s worth it. Just as He showed King Amaziah of Judah, the Lord is able to give us much more than we give up! Let’s surrender our own plans and let God bless us beyond anything we could dream.

Jesus is stronger than demons. In the name of Jesus, the strong man, Satan, can be bound so that people can be set free. Throughout church history, darkness has been invaded by light, not by people with a mental knowledge of the Bible who want to argue about doctrine, but by people who come in the power of the name Jesus. Let’s enjoy that victory today, in Jesus’ name.

Disunity will hurt a church. Maybe even destroy it. That’s why Jesus said, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). Why then is Sunday morning at eleven, like Martin Luther said, the most segregated hour of the week? We can be unifiers, or we can be dividers. Let’s rejoice with everyone who calls on the name of the Lord.

Jesus’ family didn’t understand His mission. When the Lord became so busy doing God’s will that He had no time to eat, His family tried to stop Him. Yes, we need balance and rest. But we also have to follow the will of God—and sometimes that means lots of work. Jesus didn’t get irate. He just kept doing what God had called Him to do. We can’t please everyone. Let’s keep doing what God wants us to do today

Life can get hectic. We can all relate to Martha in the New Testament, who was worried and upset preparing dinner while her sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet. But Mary chose what is better. We can too. Let’s stop trying so hard to do everything right and instead take time to quiet our hearts and sit with Jesus. He wants to meet us and help us more than we know.

What did Jesus first call His disciples to do? Not to preach sermons, cast out demons, build a church, or memorize Scripture. Jesus called them, first and foremost, “to be with him” (Mark 3:14). The primary call for us today is the same. Being with Jesus brings a calm, a peace, a weight to our witness. Let’s make deep fellowship with the Lord our goal today, by His grace.

When Jesus called the twelve disciples, He didn’t choose anyone wealthy. No one trained religiously. No one strong or educated. He chose people with no aptitude—except an aptitude to make mistakes at first. Doesn’t that encourage us? God is not looking for ability. He is looking for availability. Let’s follow Jesus today.

A lot of us are so full of anxiety that we can’t sleep at night. But God doesn’t want His children to worry. “Humble yourself,” He says, “and give that burden to Me. I will handle it!” Our Father loves us so much. Let’s make up our minds today, by the grace of God, “I will cast my cares on God! He will handle these cares and pressures.”

Jesus never promoted Himself. But large crowds followed Him anyway. They heard by word of mouth how He was doing good and healing those oppressed by the devil. We do one thing for God, and we want everyone to know about it. Why don’t we just do good and help people and then seek obscurity? The more we give Jesus all the glory, the more the Holy Spirit will strengthen, bless, and help us.

Jesus told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He was asking him to do what he couldn’t do. As the man stretched out the thing that was a limitation in him, he was healed. What’s holding you back today? Laziness, materialism, unforgiveness, a secret sin? Stretch it out in the name of Jesus today. He will set you free.

Some Christians are more interested in rules than in people getting saved. “Do you keep the Sabbath?” “You can’t wear makeup.” “How often do you take communion?” But Jesus got upset with people who were stuck on the letter of the law but had no compassion in their hearts. Let’s not glorify the law. Instead, let’s give glory to Jesus and tell others of His love.

Jesus was constantly butting up against certain Old Testament teachings. “No, it doesn’t matter what you eat,” He told people. Instead, He taught, “I’m going to give you a new heart and mind.” That’s why He said new wine needs new wineskins. We don’t live by the old letter of the law. No. In Jesus Christ, we have new life.

Have you ever fasted? When we need more prayer, more Bible study, more waiting on God, more faith for victory over big mountains, fasting is appropriate as the Lord leads. How often? How regularly? Jesus didn’t say. But when we spend time with God and deny the physical world, the things of eternity will come closer to us.

God made laws for the universe, like gravity. They’re unchanging. But the apostle Paul wrote about a spiritual law that God created: “A man reaps what he sows.” Every day we are sowing seeds, either for good or for bad, and we will reap their fruit. By God’s grace, let’s sow for good. Then we will reap a reward, both in this world and for eternity.

When Jesus called a hated tax collector to follow Him, it caused a problem. “Why is He with riffraff?” the religious leaders said. But Jesus didn’t come for people who have it all together. He came for people who are messed up. If we have good doctrine in our churches but don’t love people, we’re missing the heart of God. Let’s be like Jesus.

Jesus had just healed a paralyzed man, and the people were giving God glory. But not the religious leaders. They had seen the miracles of Jesus. But they refused to believe in Him. That’s a word of caution for us. We can listen to daily devotions, go to church, read God’s Word, but it can become mechanical. Let’s be intimate with the Lord today. Let’s be open to His working and give Him glory.

Does our friend have a need? Let’s get him or her to Jesus. That’s what intercessory prayer is all about. Four men in the Bible were so intent on getting their paralyzed friend to Jesus that they tore up a roof and lowered him down in front of the Lord. Let’s be like those men and drop someone, in faith and prayer, right in front of Jesus today for salvation, deliverance, healing.

When our hearts are breaking, our worlds are in pieces, we can’t fix the messes we’ve made, does Jesus care? Yes. Even when we’ve ignored His plans for us and gone our own way, He is saying, “Come to me, all of you are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Jesus cares. His heart is touched with our griefs. Let's be comforted by His help today.

Some of us are lonely. We feel like no one cares. But Jesus has compassion on us. When a leper found the faith to ask Him for healing, Jesus didn’t just speak to the man’s disease. He touched him—an untouchable. Aren’t you happy that God in the flesh didn’t say, “Uh, step back a little bit.” Jesus wants to touch you and me today and fill us with His joy, peace, and healing.

What are you going through today? Do what the leper did: bring it to Jesus. Your marital problem, aching heart, financial pressure, assault from the enemy, out-of-control habit, secret that’s eating you up—Jesus has authority over it. And He’s willing to heal it. Stir up fresh faith, and bring your need to Jesus today.

Paul wrote, “Do everything without arguing.” Yet in our pride and anger, we argue with our families, in the church, over politics. “You’re not allowed another opinion," we say. "You’re a devil if you don’t think like me.” Instead, let’s be like Jesus, who never argued. By God’s grace, let’s overlook quarrels and live in the sweetness of unity and peace with other believers.

How do we know what God wants us to do each day? The same way Jesus knew God’s will: from spending time with the Father. Just as the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus has sent us into the world. To do what? Whatever He tells us. May the Lord give us today our daily marching orders for Him.

Jesus ministered nonstop, healing sick people, driving out demons. But notice, “Early in the morning, while it was still dark,” He found a deserted place to pray. Jesus needed balance. So do we. As Christians, we should work, volunteer, serve. But we also need time alone with God. Work and devotion. Service and prayer. May God give us balance today.

We’re not saved to say “Whoa! God helped me! Now it’s back to the same old routine.” No. We can learn from Peter’s mother-in-law who, the minute she was healed by Jesus, began to serve Him and His disciples. If we’ve experienced the gracious touch of Jesus Christ in our lives, let’s reach out and touch others in the name of our Savior. We’ve been saved to serve.

Right now what the church needs is people who perceive the spiritual moment we’re in and know what to do. Like the men of Issachar, who gave themselves to help make David king, believers in America and around the world need to realize, “This is a critical moment. We need to make Jesus King over more people. We’re going to give ourselves to it.” Let’s do it today.

Jesus was so famous so that He barely had time to eat. Why? Not by promoting Himself. Rather, because God was doing something new and powerful through Him. Our churches should be like that—people coming not because of our fancy buildings or fog machines but because God is among us, souls are getting saved, miracles are happening. People will be pick up on it and be blessed.

Satan wants to make us slaves to demonic powers, selfish appetites, sinful habits, darkness, hate, prejudice, lust. But Jesus Christ can break the power of demons, just as he did for a man with an unclean spirit. Oh, thank God that Jesus came to set the captives free! Let’s let Him do that for us today.

Complaining is a big deal. We think it’s minor, but complaining is accusing God of being unkind to us. When Israel did it, God brought judgment on them. Yes, life can be tough. But God has put us where we are. He is working something out! Instead of complaining, let’s believe God, and let’s praise Him. We will see the answer in His perfect timing.

What was it about Jesus that first got people’s attention? It wasn’t a miracle. It was His teaching with authority. A sermon or conversation can be doctrinally correct but can put us to sleep. We need spiritual authority when we speak for the Lord—for witnessing to people, talking to our spouses, trying to turn a relative toward God. May God give us spiritual authority in the name of Jesus.

When we follow Jesus, He doesn’t give us an itinerary. It’s like when He called James and John from their father’s fishing boat: “Follow Me.” No explanation. But those two young men left their father, his boat, and the hired men, and they followed the Lord. When we yield ourselves to His will, even though we don’t know the path ahead, Jesus gives us joy unspeakable and full of glory.

What background in training did the disciples have? They were fishermen. Some Christians today say, “Before we hire this guy, he needs to take this personality test.” Not Jesus. He told Peter and Andrew, “I will make you fishers of men.” It’s not what we have. It’s what God can make of us. All we have to do is follow Jesus. He will use us in ways we can’t imagine.

What’s the number-one thing you need from God today? Jesus taught us to ask Him for it: “Give us today our daily bread.” God did not tell us to frustrate ourselves by asking for things and He wouldn’t listen. No, He said, “Ask, and you shall receive.” What do you want God to do for you? Let’s pray in faith today.

Some churches harp on people, “Repent! You’re a mess!” Other churches teach the opposite: “Just believe. God loves you! You’re going to fulfill your destiny.” But Jesus taught the gospel, which includes both: “Repent and believe the good news!” Let’s be honest and repent of our sin, and then let’s cling to Jesus and trust Him for the abundant life He offers us.

Barren wilderness. Satan attacking. Wild animals. That’s what surrounded Jesus when the Holy Spirit led Him into the desert. But angels ministered to Him. We can be under assault, in the worst circumstance, but if we’ll open our hearts, God will send angels to minister to us—a scripture, comfort from the Holy Spirit, an encouraging friend. The Lord is merciful and compassionate. Let’s look up.

Jesus told us, “Let your light shine before others.” People in our local grocery stores, doctor’s offices, and post offices are longing for answers to life’s problems—and hungry to receive God’s love reflected through our lives in ordinary ways. We don’t need a pulpit, an endorsement, or a degree to tell others about Jesus. We just need to obey.

When Jesus was baptized by John, the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove. Even Jesus needed the unction of the Holy Spirit to perform miracles and preach sermons. How much more, then, do we need the Spirit in order to obey God and love others and grow in Christ? Let’s be seeking the Holy Spirit more and more.