Eric Ludy Sermon Podcast: Church at Ellerslie

In an age of Christian mediocrity it is painfully difficult to aim for something higher and more robust in our Christian experience. We have a tendency to tether ourselves to what is familiar, even if what is “familiar” is pathetic. We often ache for something more, but continue to self-justify the reasons why we aren’t vigorously pursuing something more. This message aims to hit at that which is tethering us to the same-old-same-old in our walk with Christ. Jesus desires us to throw off all the weights that are besetting us and run this race with vim and vigor. May we see the end of ox carts and see a radical return to the version of Christianity that joyfully embraces crosses and enthusiastically sings in prison cells. Take this message even deeper with our Daily Thunder discussions on this message. Learn more at ellerslie.com/daily/

The Christian is built to beautifully portray the glory of God.That’s a high calling.And it’s good that we as Christians take this high calling seriously. But, it’s also important that we remember that the only One that can truly fulfill this high calling is God Himself.Along this journey we are going to encounter weakness in those that are walking beside us down the Narrow Way. How should we respond to this weakness? And — surprise, surprise — we are also going to encounter weakness in ourselves as we follow in the footsteps of Christ.How should we respond to our own personal weakness? While Eric Ludy is out of town on a speaking trip, Ellerslie is freshly releasing this sermon classic from the archives. Originally delivered six years ago, it is our prayer that its re-release proves a timely exhortation to the Body of Christ and that it reminds us all that mercy does indeed triumph over judgment. Take this message even deeper with our Daily Thunder discussions on this message. Learn more at ellerslie.com/daily/

Even today, God is speaking to His Children. His primary means of doing this is through His Word. However, the text of the Bible, if left all by its lonesome, hangs heavily like an unwieldy sword in the hand of a listless warrior if it is not coupled with the swinging and parrying power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within the man or woman of God. The Christian is designed to carry a spiritual roar within their souls — a courage, a boldness, a swagger of spiritual confidence, a power of heavenly origin. It’s the power of God’s Word inside them. But to both find this roar and to cultivate this roar, the believer must first submit to this roaring Word and let it uncover them, expose them, and convict them. Only then, can it rescue them, build them, and then marvelously work in and through them to bring this roar of the Lion to the peoples of this earth.   Take this message even deeper with our Daily Thunder discussions on this message. Learn more at ellerslie.com/daily/

The world is changing at warp speed. Is this change good or bad? That depends on how we respond to it. One of the great secrets of the Christian is to know the things that must NEVER change in our lives as well as the things that often MUST change in our lives as this world crazily morphs around us. The Sons of Issachar were noted in Scripture for “understanding the times in which they lived.” This is an attribute of strength that would serve the Church well at present. Many of us are dizzied, confused, and angry about the fast-paced change taking place in our world, but few of us feel like we have a clear grip on God’s purposes in this hour and know precisely how to bring the Gospel to this confused and needy world as a result of this change. Oh, Lord Jesus, raise up men and women in this hour that understand the times and can help the Church triumphantly navigate this tumultuous season. Take this message even deeper with our Daily Thunder discussions on this message. Learn more at ellerslie.com/daily/

The entire world has gone cuckoo. Or, at least, it would seem that way. And all this cuckoo-ness is forcing us as Christians to face decisions that are new, strange, and perplexing. We can attempt to ignore the issues of our day, but these issues are knocking on our front doors and coming to roost in our living rooms. But more disturbing is the fact that all this cuckoo-ness is breaking the Church of Jesus Christ apart. We are divided over how to handle the cuckoo-ness. This ought not to be. In this message Eric Ludy uses the divisive issue of the COVID-19 Vaccine along with Paul’s instructions in the book of 1st Corinthians in order to address the more pressing matter of how the Church ought to navigate these outrageous times. Take this message even deeper with our Daily Thunder discussions on this message. Learn more at ellerslie.com/daily/

America is an amazing country, with an amazing heritage. And yet, somewhere along the journey it lost its compass. America’s north star used to be God’s glory. Now it’s self-entitlement. Modern America is now officially ruled by its stomach, its appetites, and its desires. And we are baiting the rest of the world to follow suit. How does a country so set-apart and different in its origins — so godly and good natured in its disposition, become like all the rest? The sad tale of America’s fall from grace is not supposed to be our sad tale, too. This message was originally given nine years ago, but, Ellerslie is re-releasing it now in hopes that its timely and salient message will hearten the Body of Christ in this hour and encourage us to remember the value of self-relinquishment and throw overboard these toxic notions of self-entitlement . . . before it is too late.  Take this message even deeper with our Daily Thunder discussions on this message. Learn more at ellerslie.com/daily/

The “double-life” has become all to common amongst the leaders of the church today. Many are upright, pure, and morally sharp when in the public eye, but then behind closed doors, become something altogether different. Simply put, this duplicity destroys the witness of Christ and it undermines the Church. It’s a hazardous, toxic lifestyle that is not a part of true Christianity. The Church cannot and must not shrug its shoulders at this dangerous trend toward a passive acceptance of hypocrisy. While Eric Ludy is out of town on a speaking trip, Ellerslie is freshly releasing this sermon classic from the archives. Originally delivered nine years ago, it is our prayer that its re-release proves a timely exhortation to the Body in this hour of compromise.  Take this message even deeper with our Daily Thunder discussions on this message. Learn more at ellerslie.com/daily/

Weakness is sort of like manure. According to most people manure is generally considered a stinky thing — something to get rid of and purposely avoid stepping in. But there are some that look at manure and don’t think “stinky” when they see it — they think “valuable”. A gardener searches high and low for manure, and even is willing to pay top dollar to get it. Why? Because it is an amazing fertilizer. It’s turns struggling gardens into flourishing gardens. The same is true with weakness. When weakness is cherished as opposed to complained about, it transforms the lives of those that embrace it. And strangely, contrary to its name, it makes one stronger. Just as stinky manure makes a flower garden more fragrant, so situations of weakness, dependence, and humility cultivate serious strength into the life of the believer in Christ. It’s God’s brilliant pattern for building might into the life of His children. But, this grand secret of strength is often missed by Christians because they spend their life strategically avoiding this catalyst of power instead of joyfully tilling it into their soul garden. God deliberately chose weakness as His thoroughfare by which His heavenly strength enters this earth. Let’s embrace His brilliant plan.Take this message even deeper with our Daily Thunder discussions on this message. Learn more at ellerslie.com/daily/

It would seem that Christianity has gone milk-toast. It’s soggy in the very places it should be stout, and it is timid in the very sectors of culture that it must be bold. So many modern Christians have not been constructed for trials and tribulations and, as a result, their unsteady and uncertain foundations are beginning to show in this hour of testing. But God has a remedy for this. His Holy Spirit was given to the Church to bring a deep soul-level certainty of faith that removes all milk-toast behavior and, instead, builds in a rousing courage and bold conviction. In an age of shrinking wafflers, we need the return of bravehearted confessors. For this to happen, we need to unabashedly live out and shout out the Truth of God’s Word. We must step out of our spiritual diapers, spit out our pacifiers, set down our sippy cups, and start behaving as the grown up Church of Jesus Christ.  Take this message even deeper with our Daily Thunder discussions on this message. Learn more at ellerslie.com/daily/

The enemy is working overtime attempting to discourage the saints of God. His disinformation campaign is loud and incessant, beckoning believers to lay down their spiritual weapons and accept imminent defeat. And this is why a message like this is critical for this hour of need. We, as the Church, must be reminded that our God specializes in impossible situations and has a perfect track record throughout history in turning the enemy’s boastings into eaten crow. Our God is a winner. He won at the Cross and that victory is sure — even today. This means that, contrary to the enemy’s propaganda, our God is actually the One who is going to pull out the victory in this hour. The Church may indeed suffer in this season, but every bit of that suffering WILL BE converted into a powerful advantage for both the cause of Truth in this world and for the glory of our illustrious King forever.

Human propensity leads us to attempt to do marvelous things for God . . . but without the enablement of God. This mistake is likely the one most often made in the life of the Christian — having great intentions to live triumphantly for Jesus without the necessary power to perform any of these great intentions. In the book of Ezekiel chapter thirty-seven we see God’s pattern for constructing His heavenly army. At the start of chapter thirty-seven, we see an army in a useless condition, then as the chapter progresses, we see it matured and built soundly but still without the power to perform. And finally, we see the necessary supernatural impetus enter the story — we see the Holy Spirit enter into that army and activate it for real battle. The Church of Jesus Christ is in desperate need of the very same infusion of power. This is a message about the impelling strength of the Holy Spirit in the life the Church. God intended us to have heaven-sized vision, yes, but with the heavenly empowerment of the Holy Spirit. » Take this message even deeper with our Daily Thunder discussions on this sermon. Subscribe to the Daily Thunder Podcast or watch/listen online.

As humans, our motto in response to the Holy Spirit’s petition for those much-needed life alterations, tends to be, “Not yet”. "Not yet" is a well-known phrase baked deep in the self-tendencies of our nature. We are wired to procrastinate on those difficult steps of obedience that lead to robust life changes. What’s funny is we really do want the change to happen and we crave the freedom and fruitfulness the change would bring about. But to actually activate the change is hard and is often met with a thousand little hesitations and micro-justifications.  This message is all about the forward action of the Christian life and how it works mechanically. It’s about those micro-steps upward that must be taken in order for God’s purposes to actually unfold in our lives. And it’s about the amazing power that is unlocked in the Christian life when we say, “yes” to God and “no” to our indolent natures.

Christianity is all about obedient action. But that “obedient action” hinges upon the readiness of the believer to instantly spring to life at every turn. Like a lion pacing longingly in its cage craving release, so is the Christian supposed to pace back and forth in that challenging zone of spiritual waiting and be always prepared to instantly jump into action-mode when commanded. 

We as Christians can easily stagnate in our forward march. We find something that spiritually works and then camp right there. But God is a fan of forward movement. As a result, in the life of Christian service, there can be a lot of goodbyes to old dusty patterns and fresh hellos to new places of dependence and challenge. God is calling His church forward — and to go where God is taking us we need to put off our old ways and be ready to adapt His thrilling new ways. 

Spittle upon the face has historically been the symbol of shame, rejection, and degradation. So, the idea of considering a spittle-covered face a joyful occasion seems a bit odd. But, that is what the Bible teaches. It teaches us that trials are our friends and sufferings are our bosom companions. In this message Eric unpacks the strange but amazing concept that pure joy is not found in the absence of trials, but BECAUSE of trials. 

When a Christian gets his game on sirens go off in hell. A Christian man functioning as a Christian man ought to function has always been and always will be considered “dangerous” to this world’s systems. There is no greater threat to the Dark Kingdom than a man courageously shining Light. And there is no greater threat to a world chock full of lies than a man boldly proclaiming Truth. Since Godly men are “dangerous men” — the games they must learn to play are “dangerous games”. 

According to the modern culture, Christianity is a big bummer. But that is an absurd misclassification. In reality, Christianity is the ultimate spiritual thrill sport. And it is anything but a “bummer” — it is the biggest smile, whoop, and laugh factory in the universe. God built us all for a grand adventure and the Christian faith supplies everyone who believes in the Name of Jesus, not just the most state-of-the-art adventure equipment - but also all the impossible challenges, impassable canyons, and the raging rapids needed in order to thoroughly enjoy the short time we get to be here on this earth.

Changing the world starts with being changed in the inner man by the Holy Spirit. If we think that national breakthrough only takes place when political winds shift favorably, we are amiss in our understanding of how God created the world. He designed the world to be changed, to be cleaned, and to be revived from the inside out. In other words, the change starts with us . . . on the inside. It starts with the unseen dimensions of our lives being radically rescued by our Redeemer in order that these unseen dimensions might powerfully impact our marriages, our families, our churches, and ultimately our communities and the rest of the world. 

The Christian is built as a happiness machine. But much of the Church today is doing more moaning and groaning than laughing and praising. This ought not to be. In this message, Eric Ludy delivers a powerful reminder for the church to get in stride with God and get our laughter back.

Bad news, bad news, and more bad news — such is the meditation of the believer in the first couple weeks of 2021. But such a mental diet will lead to a breakdown of spiritual health in short order. The mental diet of the Christian is supposed to be filled with good news all day long every day. But, to get this good news, you need to seek out the source of good news — The Word of God. Hope is a derivative of the faith-filled life. And we as Christians need to become experts at gripping hope when the volume of hopelessness is turned up.  

Throughout the landscape of the New Testament we encounter a Christ that at times appears to showcase qualities that are opposite His nature. For instance, He never sleeps and never slumbers, and yet, there He is asleep in the boat in the midst of a storm. He never forgets and never fails, and yet there He is, absent when Mary and Martha need Him most as their brother Lazarus dies, even though Jesus said that Lazarus’ sickness would NOT end in death. He is the victor, and yet, to the naked eye the Cross seemed to showcase Jesus as the one defeated. In all these stories and more, what looks like a Christ who has fallen short is, in actuality, a Christ about to perform His most gargantuan feats. Could it be that the same is true right now in history?

Difficult circumstances are the seed bed for miracles. However, impossible circumstances are the stage for huge miracles. Most of us want to stay far and away from challenge. But, it is the narrow straits of life that offer us the clearest glimpses of God’s greatness, power, and sufficiency. Revival on the personal level and on the national level is desperately needed right now. But, it will only be found when we embrace the current challenges swirling about us instead of grumbling about them, and we turn toward God and say, “I want you to know, dear Lord, that even amidst this impossible situation, I trust You!"

It’s easy for the Church at present to forebode the portending difficulties ahead. But, as the saints of God, we were not built to forebode, to fret, to whine, or to grumble. We were built to rejoice. But, to rejoice as we were intended by God to rejoice, we need to swap out our perspective — change out of our earthly glasses for a pair of heavenly ones. When we view things through God’s perspective, even the darkest trials become glorious opportunities for the glory of God to shine forth. 

Name: The Willingness to Die // The Rescue of a Nation 04   Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: The Willingness to Die Sub-title: a study in the power of sacrifice   Date: November 29, 2020   Series: The Rescue of a Nation — Part #4   Description: Following the 2020 Presidential elections, the Church of Jesus Christ in America is recognizing its need for the Savior at a heightened level. Praise God for that!  Prayers are ushering forth from the saints and God’s throne is currently being inundated with requests for deliverance — however, how many of these prayers are being followed with the statement, “Lord, here’s my life, for You to spend in order to see this deliverance happen!” Now is the time for not just prayer, but sacrifice! 

Name: The Marvel of the 300 // The Rescue of a Nation 03   Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: The Marvel of the 300 Sub-title: a study in the definite and intelligent vow of the believer   Date: November 22, 2020   Series: The Rescue of a Nation — Part #3   Description: Following the 2020 Presidential elections, the Church of Jesus Christ in America is being stirred to action. Lawlessness, murder, fear, and deception are making their move upon our land and many of us have been caught asleep in our world of self-satisfaction. The liberties that many of us have taken for granted in the past have suddenly become incredibly precious.  But what are we willing to do to steward our sacred liberties before they are gone?  

Name: The Counter Punch // The Rescue of a Nation 02   Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: The Counter Punch Sub-title: a study in the boxing brilliance of the Most High God   Date: November 15, 2020   Series: The Rescue of a Nation — Part #2   Description: Following the 2020 Presidential elections, an evil foreboding is attempting to undermine the soul-stability of believers across this country. The question that is pressing itself with unrelenting force into the Christian’s psyche is, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” This sermon is a fresh reminder that not only do we as believers have an answer to that question, but we have a victory dance to go with it.    

Name: The Plot Twist // The Rescue of a Nation 01   Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: The Plot Twist Sub-title: a study in the sovereign dexterity of God in impossible straits   Date: November 8, 2020   Series: The Rescue of a Nation - Part #1   Description: Following the 2020 Presidential elections, a great uncertainty looms before the Church of Jesus Christ in America. Eric delivers a timely message of hearty encouragement to the Body of Christ. God WILL indeed prove Faithful and True.

Name: The Plot Twist // The Shadow Nation Rises 09   Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: The Plot Twist Sub-title: a study in the sovereign dexterity of God in impossible straits   Date: November 8, 2020   Series: The Shadow Nation Rises - Part #9   Description: A Post-Election Message. This is the ninth installment in Eric’s series entitled, The Shadow Nation Rises. Following the 2020 Presidential elections, a great uncertainty looms before the Church of Jesus Christ in America. Eric delivers a timely message of hearty encouragement to the Body of Christ. God WILL indeed prove Faithful and True.

Name: Washing the Little Feet // The Shadow Nation Rises 08   Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: Washing the Little Feet Sub-title: a study in the Gospel and it’s passion for the least   Date: October 25, 2020   Series: The Shadow Nation Rises - Part #8   Description: This is the eighth installment in Eric’s series entitled, The Shadow Nation Rises. Right before this message began, the His Little Feet choir sang a few songs. Everyone present was deeply moved. Eric shares the Gospel message while creatively weaving the kids from the choir into his message. It’s a fun and powerful delivery that is sure to move your soul to action.   

Name: Sixteen Days to Extinction // The Shadow Nation Rises 07   Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: Sixteen Days to Extinction Sub-title: a study in the Christian response to threats of doom   Date: October 18, 2020   Series: The Shadow Nation Rises - Part #7   Description: This is the seventh installment in Eric’s series entitled, The Shadow Nation Rises. In this message he discusses the Kingdom pattern for God’s intervention in the darkest hours of history. God always has a deliverance for His people, even though such deliverance seems utterly inconceivable at the time. When His people humble themselves and walk concurrent with His Word — He converts the machinations and movements of evil into the destruction of the evil itself and into a profound good for His people and for His purposes.  And so it is right now in the year 2020. God has not abandoned His Church, He has not turned His back on His children — He is in anguish over the dismantling of righteousness, truth, and justice taking place in our world today. And He WILL have a response.   

Name: Bold Steps Forward // The Shadow Nation Rises 06   Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: Bold Steps Forward Sub-title: a study in God’s unique pattern for spiritual growth   Date: October 11, 2020   Series: The Shadow Nation Rises - Part #6   Description: This is the sixth installment in Eric’s series entitled, The Shadow Nation Rises. In this message he digs into God’s pattern for taking the Land of Promise as enunciated in Deuteronomy chapter seven. God informs the Israelites that they will not be able to take the land quickly, but instead, He will enable them to take it little by little. This pattern of “little by little” is a foundational principle of the spiritual growth of the Christian life.  Many trip over the idea that an all-powerful God does not do everything He does immediately. The thought is, "if He has the ability to do it immediately, why doesn’t He?”  However, this "little by little” process is very much on-purpose and critical in the proper development of both individuals and nations.      

Name: If God is for Us // The Shadow Nation Rises 05   Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: If God is for Us Sub-title: a study in audacious faith   Date: October 4, 2020   Series: The Shadow Nation Rises - Part #5   Description: This is the fifth installment in Eric’s series entitled, The Shadow Nation Rises. In this message he explores the prescription of Moses in Deuteronomy chapter six for the Israelites to not “test the Lord” in the Promised Land as they did at Meribah. This idea of “testing the Lord” is a crucial concept and one that can be easily be misunderstood in the Christian life. For there is a “testing" that flows out of unbelief and there is a “testing" that flows out of faith. The first form of testing has zero part in Promised Land living, whereas the second form of testing is the essence of Promised Land living.      

Name: Removing Old Sandals // The Shadow Nation Rises 04   Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: Removing Old Sandals Sub-title: a study in God’s pattern for bringing us into new things   Date: September 27, 2020   Series: The Shadow Nation Rises - Part #4   Description: This is the fourth installment in Eric’s series entitled, The Shadow Nation Rises. In this message he walks through the idea of putting off our sandals when we step upon God’s holy ground. Time and again in Scripture we see this “removal of sandals” happen, and each time it is when something new is unfolding. The book of Deuteronomy brings us to this same place of holy ground. It’s the transition from something old into something new. Could it be that the Church of Jesus Christ is needing to remove its sandals and follow God into a new, and more powerful work.    

Name: After the Giants Fall // The Shadow Nation Rises 03   Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: After the Giants Fall Sub-title: a study in taking hold of the promises of God   Date: September 20, 2020   Series: The Shadow Nation Rises - Part #3   Description: This is the third installment in Eric’s series entitled, The Shadow Nation Rises. In this message he explores the thrilling “giant conquering” phase of the Israelite's 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. When the final “fighting man” from the previous generation passes away in the 38th year of The Wandering, the time comes to seize the Land of the Giants. The victory over this heavily populated territory to the east of the Jordan River is extraordinary and wholly God-operated. But, the territory taken is NOT the Land of Promise. It’s merely the territory necessary in order to NOW take the Land of Promise to the west. So, when Reuben and Gad request this territory, on the east side of the Jordan River, as their inheritance, the sparks start flying. How often we do the same. We accept a cheap imitation in our spiritual lives instead of pressing forward into the uncomfortable to lay hold of the real thing.  

Name: How to Vote this November // The Shadow Nation Rises 02   Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: How to Vote this November Sub-title: a study in reasoning according to the Word of God   Date: September 13, 2020   Series: The Shadow Nation Rises - Part #2   Description: This is the second installment in Eric’s series entitled, The Shadow Nation Rises. In this message he dives into the formation of the first godly national government. Ancient Israel, in 1445 B.C., will supply history with a governmental model that is still, in many facets, actively employed in today’s U.S. Constitution. It’s an amazing format for the governance of a large body of people. And yet, in and of itself, this wonderful governmental model is unable to save the people of Israel (then) or the people of America (now) from their sinful propensities. However, another government, a “second” government, was ratified on this Earth two thousand years ago by God’s own Son, Jesus. This “second” government is able to perform on behalf of its citizens, what the first government was powerless to accomplish.    

Name: The Shadow Scriptures // The Shadow Nation Rises 01   Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: The Shadow Scriptures Sub-title: a study in the principle of firsts and seconds   Date: September 6, 2020   Series: The Shadow Nation Rises - Part #1   Description: Deuteronomy means “second law”. Many scholars believe that this book title is a mistake from an improper translation in the Latin Vulgate. However, Eric Ludy presses the point that this unusual title (Deuteronomy), though it could very well be a mistaken translation, perfectly matches this extraordinary and supernatural book. This book is about the “second” — it is a second invite to a second generation to follow a second leader. It is a brilliant shadow of the glorious Gospel invite found in the New Testament.  This message marks the first episode in Eric’s new series which walks through the profound textual landscape of Deuteronomy in order to showcase the profound Man, Jesus Christ.  

Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: The Sacrificial Generation Sub-title: a study in the privilege of bearing other’s burdens   Date: August 30, 2020   Series: The Spiritual Biography of a Nation - Part #14   Description: Most of us struggle with carrying our own burdens let alone the burdens of others.  But a Christian, set on fire by Love isn’t just willing to carry the burdens of others, but is desirous to do it. Whatever it is that causes men like C.T. Studd to eagerly long to go to the most difficult place on earth to speak of Christ or that causes men like Jim Elliot to seek out the most dangerous native tribe for evangelism and then get genuinely excited when they are found — this strange and bewildering attitude is desperately needed in the Body of Christ again.  

Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie SermonsTitle: Readied for the Crisis Sub-title: a study in overcoming impossible circumstances   Date: August 23, 2020   Series: The Spiritual Biography of a Nation - Part #13   Description: What causes one man to shrink back and cower before Goliath and the next man to rise up and sprint after him? This mysterious function of bold spiritual daring is often chalked up to being nothing more than a function of extraordinary personality that someone either has or doesn’t have in their native DNA. But, in actuality, this soul moxie is the result of something sturdy and gritty being built into the soul over time and through the joyful encounter of many trials. It’s the result of a vigorous faith being continually exercised in the human soul. This particular message is installment #13 in Eric Ludy’s series entitled, “The Spiritual biography of a Nation”.  It rewinds the calendar 400 years to 1620 and sticks us in the middle of the Atlantic in a ship known as the Mayflower. A magnificent crisis is going to unfold before our eyes, and yet, the 102 people on board this small ship are going to shock us, because they are not going to give way to panic. Why? Because they were readied for this crisis.  

Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie Sermons   Title: Surviving the Second Cut Sub-title: a study in enduring to the end   Date: August 16, 2020   Series: The Spiritual Biography of a Nation Part: #12   Description: Many Christians start out strong, but few finish strong. Many believers come out of the gate with gusto but instead of continuing steadfast they either limp to the finish line or bail out altogether from the spiritual fray. Using the Pilgrim’s extraordinary send-off from England in 1620 as powerful illustration for the need of spiritual resilience, Eric Ludy will make every listener crave to be a William Bradford rather than a Robert Cushman.   

Title: Choosing Difficulty Sub-title: a study in the brilliance of going it the hard way   Date: August 9, 2020   Series: The Spiritual Biography of a Nation Part: #11   Description: In 1618, the unthinkable took place in England — King James I officially kicked every religious non-conformist out of his country. He boldly declared that these “fanatics" were no longer welcome to live in grand ‘ol England. That meant the Puritans were out on their backsides and all the Separatists needed to find a new country to call home. Long and short, it was a tough time to be a strong Christian in lukewarm England. This great purge of spiritual strength out of England strangely changed the course of the United States of America, because it brought all this spiritual zeal and strength into North America — and dramatically changed the course of our nation.  

Title: Dangers of Gentleman Christianity Sub-title: a study in the perils of self-coddling Christianity   Date: July 26, 2020   Series: The Spiritual Biography of a Nation Part: #10   Description: Spanish and French missionaries both made a sizable impact on the North American territory in the 15th and 16th centuries, but England remained quiet on the New World landscape until the 17th century. And when they finally decided to put their proverbial foot in the water, they experienced total disaster in Roanoke. In the year 1607, England postured themselves as if they were coming to this New World with the intent of sharing the Gospel of Christ with the natives. But their “Gentleman” Christianity was anything but a light shining in a dark world. The Jamestown settlement is a study in self-centered, self-coddling Christianity and its ramifications on the world around it. The Modern American Church in its manner and in its thinking runs a strange parallel with the gentleman settlers of Jamestown in 1607. Hopefully history can be our tutor and steer us toward a Pilgrim landing in this hostile season of American history instead of Jamestown landing.     

Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie Sermons   Title: The Burning of Rome Sub-title: a study in the historic pattern for cultural blame-shifting   Date: July 19, 2020   Series: The Spiritual Biography of a Nation Part: #9   Description: When the missionaries brought the light of the Gospel to North America in the seventeenth century, there was a cultural retaliation amongst the Amerindians. Some natives viewed these Christian missionaries as blessings and bearers of the New Life in Christ. While others viewed them as harbingers of death, bearers of small pox, malaria, and dangerous ideas. This tension represents the historic animosity that exists between light and darkness. Christianity has always been a threat to those who love the darkness. And it has always been a blessing to those yearning to find Life.  

  Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie Sermons   Title: Grains of Wheat Sub-title: a study in the historic attitude of Christian self-sacrifice   Date: July 12, 2020   Series: The Spiritual Biography of a Nation Part: #8   Description: America prior to the 16th century was dark and savage — a land of lawlessness, fear, and extreme violence. Then the light of the Gospel came to this North American territory — men gave up everything to come here and share the hope of Jesus Christ with a depraved people. Now five hundred years later the people of this same territory are actively seeking to snuff out the light of Truth and return to that ancient darkness that once ruled this land — reverting back to lawlessness, fear, and violence. It was the willingness of Christians to sacrifice everything, including their very lives, that originally turned this American territory from death towards life — could it be that, to turn this country back from its errant ways, the same willingness amongst the Christians to forsake everything is once again required?  

Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie Sermons   Title: Into the Savage Wilderness Sub-title: a study in the historic adventure-filled boldness of the Church   Date: July 5, 2020   Series: The Spiritual Biography of a Nation Part: #7   Description: In the 16th century, two movements were afoot — 1) the lust-driven pursuit of gold, and 2) the love-driven pursuit of souls. The gold pursuers turned south and claimed Central and South America, while the soul pursuers (the missionaries) turned north and pursued the souls of the native peoples of the territory we now know as North America. The heritage of America is decidedly one of boldness and unashamedness for the Gospel. That is a piece of our heritage that ought not to be lost in the midst of our present-day “erase-everything” and/or “reinterpret-everything" movement.      

Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie Sermons   Title: In the Wake of Columbus Sub-title: a study in God’s profound ability to trump evil with good    Date: June 28, 2020   Series: The Spiritual Biography of a Nation Part: #6   Description: The founding of America in 1492 ushered in fifty years of great darkness. The age of the conquistadors in the late 15th and early 16th century to this part of the world brought with it bigotry and bloodshed. But, in the midst of this growing darkness came forth the light of Truth. Like stowaways in these barbaric expeditions in search of lost gold came missionaries to these shorelines — men in search of lost souls. Like every nation’s history, America’s past is checkered. But one thing is certain as you review it. God shed His grace upon this country and blessed it in order that it might become a blessing to the nations. He turned what the enemy meant for evil into a profound and mighty good.   

          Podcast: The Church at Ellerslie Sermons   Title: The Ethics of Missions Sub-title: a study in the Christian mandate to seek and save that which is lost    Date: June 21, 2020   Series: The Spiritual Biography of a Nation Part: #5   Description: With every passing week the incorrectness of Christianity seems to be increasing.  According to our culture it is becoming “wrong” to be a Christian, to think like a Christian, to act like a Christian, and (the worst of all crimes) to cause someone else to become, think and act like a Christian.  Missions has been an integral piece of the Christian life and practice since Jesus Christ first commanded His disciples to “Go!” back near 2000 years ago.  But the idea of missions is currently under siege in this liberally skewed world we are now living in.  As the Church, we cannot allow this critical piece of God’s Kingdom plan to be undermined in the minds of the Church.  

Title: The Twig with Roses Sub-title: a study in the value of wisdom and the importance of vigorously pursuing it    Date: June 14, 2020   Series: The Spiritual Biography of a Nation Part: #4   Description: While statues and monuments commemorating Christopher Columbus are being presently defaced and toppled across the United States, it's amazing to look back at this embattled explorer and allow God to instruct us through both his successes and his foibles. It would be wise to offer the highest degrees of admiration to this man's astounding demonstration of faith.  It was a faith that was dogged and untiring.  We as the Church need an epic sense of call and vision like Columbus had — not to discover new worlds and oceanic passageways —but to reach every single lost soul with the Gospel. This is our hour.  

The Safe House Speaker: Eric Ludy Study: The Safe House The country of America was founded as a safe house — a place for people to run to in order to find religious liberty. And countless millions have come to it to find that exquisite freedom. But, this rare “national picture” is merely what the Church of Jesus Christ was designed to be from the beginning — a safe house. The Church was intended by God to be a place that prospered your spiritual exercise and development even if that “exercise and development” were deemed illegal in the current governmental system. It is imperative that the Church of Jesus Christ become such a safe house right now in-and-amidst these tumultuous times.

Inalienable Rights Speaker: Eric Ludy Study: Inalienable Rights America is in a molten state. From riots and rights violations to pandemics and forthcoming elections. It is imperative that as Christians we have solid footing in the Word of God as we navigate these unsteady times. As the North American Church we have been entrusted much in terms of truth, liberty, opportunity and wealth, but are we proving faithful with the trust we have been given?

The Two-Party System Eric Ludy dexterously addresses the Christian’s submission to governing authorities and how that biblically balances with the exertion of constitutional liberty. In and amidst this COVID-19 situation, the Church is desperately in need of a clear understanding of what loving Christian responsibility looks like. This message provides some wonderful tools for beginning to reason these challenging matters out.