All Episodes — Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

The Secret of Fulfillment

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Matthew 5:17-18 The Lord Jesus Christ is the One our hearts long for, the One who can fulfill our deepest need. He did not come to destroy—rather, He came to fulfill. Jesus is the secret of fulfillment. Adrian Rogers says, “Jesus is the One who can take the pain out of parting, the sorrow out of suffering, the sting out of death, the gloom out of the grave, and can give you a hope that is steadfast and sure.” In Matthew 5:17-18, Jesus says, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” First, Jesus prophetically fulfills the Word of God. Jesus appears in every book of the Old Testament, one way or another. Adrian Rogers says, “(If you) read the prophecies and try to find the meaning… and don’t see Jesus, you’ve missed it all.” Old Testament Scripture also identifies the Savior as the Son of a mother from a specific family, belonging to a certain tribe, of a designated nation, of a specific section of the human race. Jesus meets the exact criteria; He is the fulfillment of every prophecy. He is in all of the Bible, cover to cover. Second, Jesus practically fulfills the Word of God. God has no plan or purpose that does not ultimately center on Jesus Christ. Jesus kept every moral, ceremonial, and judicial law laid out in the Word of God, because He, Himself, was the Word. Finally, Jesus perfectly fulfills the Word of God. Through the law, God demands perfection. Jesus Christ met every standard and requirement. Jesus believed and affirmed the inerrancy, infallibility, and immutability of the Word of God. Jesus and the Scriptures rise and fall together, inextricably woven together for all of time. Apply it to your life Jesus came to save sinners; He suffered, bled, and died to pay every debt we owe, to fulfill the law, prophetically, practically, and perfectly. Have you put your trust in Jesus, the fulfillment of the law? Repent, confess, and pray for His grace to fulfill the law in you.

Jan 3, 2025

Bright Lights in a Dark World

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Matthew 5:14; 16 In Matthew 5, Jesus calls us the salt and light of the world. When salt is applied, it goes inward; but light comes from within, and appears outwardly. Salt speaks of character while light speaks of testimony. This means that, as bright lights in a dark world, we are meant to be people of character and confession. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Who is the light of the world? You. Adrian Rogers says, “God’s plan is to take ordinary people and do extraordinary things.” This world is the darkest it’s ever been—deepest in difficulty and lowest in enlightenment. We have substituted intelligence for wisdom. But we, as children of God, have the wisdom of His Word. Though the world considers us foolish, we have learned the mysteries of life and death, through Jesus Christ. What is the light of the world for? It is meant to shine. We cannot hide our testimonies or be ashamed of our faith—hiding our light is foolish. We need to tell others what Jesus Christ has done for us. When we are courageous enough to share our faith, we are proving ourselves faithful to God. And when we as Christians come together, our collective light becomes a force of nature, ever more powerful together—a city on a hill. (See Matthew 5:14,) How are we going to be the light of the world? We let the light of Christ shine, and we keep feeding the flame that burns within us. Education, science, culture, and the world’s religions cannot save us. It is Christ alone. The life we live is Jesus within us; we have to let the world see it. Apply it to your life If we don’t shine, who is going to? It is our privilege, our duty, and our responsibility to shine for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jan 2, 2025

Pass the Salt

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Matthew 5:13 Salt is necessary for both physical and spiritual life. Only God could design the chemical makeup of salt: sodium (deadly and explosive) combined with chlorine (noxious and also deadly) make something necessary for life, preservation, and purity. Likewise, by God’s divine chemistry of the cross, we as Christians have become new creatures with significant importance to the world around us. Matthew 5:13 says, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” In this passage, Jesus calls His followers “salt of the earth.” Once we understand the importance of salt in Jesus’ time and in our own, we’ll better understand our role as salt and light to this desperate world. This passage first clarifies the dynamics of pure salt. Salt seasons, preserves, and heals; likewise, we are called to preserve truth and to have a zest about our lives that heals this sick world. But salt also burns and penetrates; it is an irritant that permeates everything it touches. We cannot fear our nature to irritate this corrupt world and permeate Jesus Christ with everything we touch. This passage also warns us about the dissipation of polluted salt. Salt that is filled with impurities is worthless and harmful. It kills crops and poisons water. The only safe place for polluted salt is the roadway—it makes for good cement and nothing more. Finally, there is a demand for preserving salt. If there were ever a need, a time, and age for salt to work, it is now. Things once considered sin are now considered sickness, and socially acceptable practice. Banning prayer in public schools, legalizing abortion, an increase in suicide rates and drug use in teens… this world—specifically our country—is in desperate need of some salt. Adrian Rogers says, “Not only is God America’s biggest, and only, hope. God is America’s biggest threat.” The only hope to keep this country from moral decay is the salt of the earth—God’s people. It’s not too late for a revival to sweep this nation, if only we will repent of our sins and become salt with savor. Apply it to your life This world needs some salt. Do you bear the salt and light in which we have been called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Jan 1, 2025

His Name is Wonderful

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Isaiah 9:6 The greatest event in human history is when Almighty God stepped out of Heaven, put His feet upon this Earth, and saved us from our sins. Seven centuries before the first Christmas, the prophet Isaiah wrote about the coming Savior, and expressed how His name is wonderful. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder…” We must understand His supernatural nature. The baby of Bethlehem was not an ordinary child. He is not part-God, part-man; He is fully God in human flesh and there has never been another like Him. The Bible clearly and plainly states that He was born of a virgin, but His beginning was not at Bethlehem. There was never a time when Jesus was not, and there will never be a time when Jesus is not. He is everlasting, forever God. This passage also reveals Jesus’ sovereign nobility. Isaiah 9:7 says, “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.” God has already declared that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. Adrian Rogers says, “You have to take the cradle and the cross and the crown and put them together, or you don’t have the true story of Christmas.” Finally, this passage shares with us the meaning of Jesus’ saving name. “And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). -Wonderful: There is wonder in His name, if only our spiritual eyes can begin to see it. -Counselor: There is wisdom in His name, the One we rely on to guide and advise us. -Mighty God: There is wealth in His name, the One to whom everything belongs. -Everlasting Father: There is worship in His name, for He alone is worthy of worship. -Prince of Peace: There is welfare in His name; He is the only One who can satisfy the yearning for peace in our hearts. Apply it to your life Do you know Jesus Christ as your Wonderful Counselor? Is our Mighty God your Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace? As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, remember His supernatural nature, sovereign nobility and saving name.

Dec 27, 202432 min

Christmas Tribute to the Trinity

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Luke 1:35 Many who don’t believe in Jesus will call Him a great moral teacher. But when we look closely at His teachings, we find that He left no room for interpretation. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and the story of Christmas is a tribute to the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:35 says, “And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.’” The doctrine of the Trinity is what makes our faith different from all other faiths. First, we must recognize the sublime mystery of the Trinity. We will never understand the Holy Trinity by human investigation, logic, or science. The only way we can know about the Holy Trinity is by divine revelation. There is one God, and He is a triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If we try to understand it on our own, we will lose our minds; if we deny it, we may lose our souls. Adrian Rogers says, “I wouldn’t have any confidence in a God that I could understand.” Second, we recognize the sacred history of the Trinity. John 1:1-3 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”There is no contradiction between the three, because they are One. The Trinity, together, created the world, composed the Scriptures, conceived the Christ, and commissioned the Church. Finally, we recognize the saving ministry of the Trinity. Through the Holy Trinity, we have our salvation. Salvation has been in the heart and mind of God before we were ever born. The Father thought it, the Son bought it, and the Holy Spirit wrought it. Adrian Rogers says, “You have been selected by the Father, saved by the Son, and sealed by the Spirit.” Because of the mystery of the manger, the blessing of Bethlehem, and the treasures of the Trinity, we can never lose our salvation. Apply it to your life It’s not enough to simply accept the intellectual premise of the Holy Trinity. Give your heart to Jesus, the Son of God.

Dec 26, 2024

Christmas in the Old Testament

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Micah 5:2 Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but His existence did not begin in Bethlehem; He has been from everlasting. The Book of Micah offers us a clear picture of Christmas to come in the Old Testament. Micah 5:2 says, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” Adrian Rogers says, “Without the Lord Jesus, the Old Testament is simply a bundle of unfulfilled prophecies, of unexplained ceremonies, of unattainable laws. But when you bring Jesus into it, it unlocks the whole thing.” First, there are portraits of Jesus in the Old Testament. In Luke 24:44, Jesus says, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” Jesus is who all the Old Testament prophets have given witness to. He is portrayed as the Prophet, Priest, and King of every story from Genesis to Malachi. He is in every ceremony, and even in the design of biblical architecture such as the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant. When we read the New Testament, we find the fulfillment of each law and prophecy. Second, there are prophecies of Jesus in the Old Testament. There are more than 300 prophecies concerning the Messiah in the Old Testament. Throughout the Books of Law and Prophecy, God narrows the focus to a specific man from the nation of Israel. He would come from the Tribe of Judah, specifically the family of Jesse, and the household of David. He would be born of a virgin in Bethlehem, betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, crucified, and then raised from the dead. Jesus fulfilled each of these prophecies, and many more. Mathematically, when we speak of the laws of probability, there is no doubt He is the Messiah. Finally, Jesus is presented in the Old Testament. We must decide how we will respond. Do we crown Him or crucify Him—accept or reject Him? As we study Scripture, we’ll find that we can believe the Bible and trust Him as our Savior. Apply it to your life Jesus has been presented to us in the Old and New Testaments. How will you respond? Do you believe in Him? Do you accept Him as your Lord and Savior?

Dec 25, 2024

Miracle Births

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: John 3 Birth is, perhaps, the greatest miracle each of us has ever experienced. But John 3 mentions an even greater second birth for those who are born again in Jesus Christ.In John 3, the Pharisee Nicodemus represents the problem of the sinner’s birth.“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God’” (John 3:3). Because Nicodemus was born into the natural world, he was bound to the sinful world. Those of us once-born have a sinful nature. There is no “cleaning up” our nature before we get saved. Our sinful nature also blinds us to the spiritual world. Adrian Rogers says, “I can preach truth, but only the Holy Spirit can impart truth. They may get the words, but they’ll never get the music unless the Holy Spirit of God turns the light on in their soul.” But this passage also reveals the purpose of the Savior’s birth. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus came, being born of a virgin, to redeem us, to reveal the truth of God to us, and to restore us to be what God made us to be. Then, we experience the second birth. God breathes new life into us, and we become completely new creations. The Word of God and the Holy Spirit are the “parents” of our new birth. As a result, our new character mimics that of our spiritual parents. (See John 3:5.) We love the Lord Jesus Christ and have the witness of the Spirit. We have the nature of our Father and desire to share Jesus with others. Just like there is a finality in our natural birth, once we are saved, we are always saved; we receive a fresh start and begin to grow with the certainty of our miraculous rebirth. Adrian Rogers says, “A newborn child has no yesterdays; he’s all tomorrows. So it is with the new birth: we receive a brand new future; our past is in the grave of God’s forgetfulness.” Apply it to your life Do you have the markers of a twice-born believer? Do you love Jesus, have the inner witness of the Spirit? Do you have the nature of your Heavenly Father, and a desire to share the Gospel with others?

Dec 23, 2024

The Christ of the Old Testament

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Acts 10:43 In Acts 10, Simon Peter testifies to the household of Cornelius, and reveals that Jesus is the Christ of the Old Testament. “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). Adrian Rogers says, “Jesus is the master key that unlocks the mysteries of the Old Testament.” First, the Old Testament is a portrait of Jesus, who was to come. In Luke 24:44, Jesus says, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” Jesus is who all the Old Testament prophets have given witness to. He is portrayed as the Prophet, Priest and King of every story, from Genesis to Malachi. And when we read the New Testament, we find the fulfillment of each law and prophecy.Adrian Roger says, “The Old Testament, without the Lord Jesus Christ, would be a dead-end road leading to nowhere, and yet, as you look at the Bible and back off and see it, you see Jesus everywhere—Prophet, Priest, and King.” Second, the Old Testament reveals the prophecies of Jesus Christ, who has come.There are more than 300 prophecies concerning the Messiah in the Old Testament. Throughout the Books of Law and Prophecy, God narrows the focus on a specific man from God’s chosen race, the nation of Israel. He was to come from the tribe of Judah, specifically from the family of Jesse and the household of David. The Messiah would be born of a virgin in Bethlehem, betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, crucified by the piercing of His hands, and then raised from the dead. Jesus fulfilled each of these prophecies, and many more. According to the law of mathematical probability, there is no doubt He is the Messiah. And according to the Book of Revelation, He will come again. Apply it to your life Do you trust in the Word of God, and the God of that Word? You don’t have to understand how God runs the mighty Universe to put your faith and trust in Him.Adrian Rogers says, “True faith is rooted in evidence, true faith goes beyond evidence, and true faith becomes its own best evidence.”

Dec 19, 202430 min

Learning to Share Your Faith

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Acts 10:34 Would you be prepared to share your faith the moment someone asks about it?Adrian Rogers says, “We tell people to keep the faith; not only should you keep it, but you ought also to give it away.” Winning souls is not only a command of God but also a great privilege. God doesn’t send angels to win souls, He sends us. In Acts 10, Simon Peter is invited into the home of Cornelius, a Roman officer, to share his faith with him and his household. In response, Peter gives a three-fold testimony that reveals how we can share our faith. Acts 10:34-35 says, “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.’” Peter, a Jew, preached the message of salvation to the first Gentile, claiming that the door of salvation is wide: anyone who wants to enter may come. But the way is very narrow: Jesus is the only way to Heaven. If we are not saved by Jesus alone, we are not saved at all. First, Peter has a personal confidence as a soul-winner. Having walked with Jesus and witnessed Him firsthand, Peter has unmatched confidence in the virtuous life, vicarious death, and victorious resurrection of Christ. Likewise, despite our differences in opinions, what holds us together as believers is our united confidence in Jesus Christ. Second, Peter has the powerful confirmation of the Scriptures. The Old Testament bears witness that every prophecy is fulfilled by Jesus Christ.Finally, Peter bears the persuasive conviction of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God anoints Peter, so that his words may convince and convict Cornelius and his family. Peter’s confidence, Scripture’s confirmation, and the Spirit’s conviction form a three-fold cord that is not easily broken. Remember, as believers, we are not waiting on the Holy Spirit. God has already sent Him to strengthen and empower us to witness to others. Apply it to your life Are you confident in Jesus Christ? Do you know enough Scripture to use it to convince someone about the Lord? Have you asked God, through the Holy Spirit, to use your testimony to convict others? Learn to share your faith!

Dec 17, 202436 min

Christ of Every Crisis

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Acts 12:1 Troubles come and go every day, but every so often we come up against an unexpected, ferocious crisis. In all the confusion, when we’re unsure where to turn, we can turn to the Christ of every crisis. In Acts 12, the Early Church was facing a genuine crisis as Herod unleashed violence on its members. “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also...” (Acts 12:1-3). When we’re in the middle of a crisis, we must respect the mystery of God’s providence. Just because things don’t make sense to us at the moment doesn’t mean they do not make sense. Life is not a problem to be solved; it is a mystery to be lived. Life isn’t a series of good, then bad; the good and bad run parallel, happening simultaneously and working together. Second, we should request the ministry of God’s people. “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (Acts 12:5). As God’s people, we must pray to God without ceasing, intensely and specifically. God is pleased when His children pray, but He is even more pleased when His children pray together. Adrian Rogers says, “The devil mocks at our schemes, laughs at our organizations, ridicules our talents, but he fears our prayers.” Third, we can rest in the mastery of God’s peace. Because he was no longer afraid of death and he knew that God’s people were praying for him, Peter slept in prison. Even in the crisis, God was still on His throne; as a result of the church’s prayers, an angel of the Lord broke Peter out of prison.We must remember that if God is not working according to what we can see, it doesn’t mean God is not working. We can rejoice in the majesty of God’s power, because even if evil seems to succeed, it is temporary. The Christ of every crisis is eternal. Apply it to your life Are you facing a genuine crisis, and you aren’t sure where to turn? Live by God’s promises, invite other believers to pray with you, and rest in God’s peace. Remember that the Christ of every crisis is with you in your circumstances.

Dec 13, 202435 min

Counterfeit Christianity

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Acts 8:5-24 Satan is not against religion; in fact, it is one of his chief tools and most deceptive tricks. Adrian Rogers says, “When God opens the windows of Heaven to bless us, the devil opens the doors of Hell to blast us. Whenever there is revival, you can expect satanic opposition.” In Acts 8, on the heels of a great revival, a sorcerer named Simon exhibited a counterfeit Christianity that posed a threat to the Early Church. There are three warnings in this passage to help us spot Satan’s counterfeit religion.First, don’t be dazzled by the Satanic force of false religion. “But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great…” (Acts 8:9). Witchcraft is not mere superstition; it is superficial power from the devil, and it is alive and well today. Don’t be dazzled by the power of false religion; there is something to it, and it is very real and very dangerous. Second, don’t be deceived by the superficial faith of false religion. Not all false religion is in the occult; sometimes it moves right into the church. “Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done” (Acts 8:13).Adrian Rogers says, “Simon believed not in the Master; He believed in the miracles.” Simon followed Philip for the miracles’ sake. His shallow faith reminds us that not all belief is saving belief. We can believe the facts of the Gospel without ever truly knowing and believing in Jesus Christ. Finally, do not be destroyed by the selfish focus of false religion. Selfishness is what drives false religion; Simon himself claimed he was “the great one” (see Acts 8:9). He wanted the power of the Holy Spirit for his own glory.Adrian Rogers says, “There are people who are bitter and in bondage. They have met religion, but they’ve never met Jesus.” If we want a faith that is real, we must go to the Word of God, lay down our intellectual pride, and call out to Jesus for mercy. Apply it to your life In this day and age of spirituality without true faith in Jesus, we need to get a strong grip on God’s Word and truth, so we are not deceived by counterfeit Christianity.

Dec 11, 202435 min

Living Supernaturally or Superficially

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Acts 5:1-11 In Acts 5, the Early Church was in the blaze of revival. However, the devil crafted a new attack from within the church, through Ananias and Sapphira. After seeing another church member receive praise for selling his property and giving everything to the church, Ananias, and his wife Sapphira, lied about their own offering to receive the same praise. Right on the spot, God struck them both dead. Considering this grave warning, each of us must ask ourselves if we are living supernaturally or superficially. Filled with pride, Ananias and Sapphira pretended to have a devotion to Jesus they did not have; they became hypocrites. The Holy Spirit gave Peter the gift of discernment and exposed the lie through him. Peter then revealed that this couple didn’t just lie to men, they lied to the Spirit of God. It is unspeakably serious to lie to the Holy Spirit; we could never fool Him. As Christians, we will be judged as sinners, servants, and sons. Our judgment as sinners was settled at the cross of Jesus Christ. The judgment for our service will be dealt with at the judgment seat of Christ. The judgment of sons is the way God the Father disciplines us and grows us day by day. What happened to Ananias and Sapphira was their judgment as children of God. This punishment can sometimes be very severe. But the judgment of God can save us, too. God doesn’t take vengeance on his own children. God, in mercy, took Ananias and Sapphira to keep them from further sin. It was a saving judgment for the church, as well. Through this example, the church saw how God felt about sin. Adrian Rogers says, “God will do certain things as an example in the physical world to show how He feels in the spiritual world.” Their hypocrisy did not stop the Early Church; hypocrisy shouldn’t stop us today. Hypocrites come and go, but the church of the Lord Jesus marches on. Apply it to your life We are saved by grace, but one of these days we will face the judgment seat of Christ and give an account for how we stewarded our lives. If you’re a child of God, sin in your life is more serious than sin in the life of an unsaved person. Be careful that you do not lie to the Holy Spirit.

Dec 9, 202440 min

Every Christian an Evangelist

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Acts 8:26-39 Every believer is called, ordained, equipped, and given opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Every Christian is called to be an evangelist. If you are not witnessing, you are disobeying God. In Acts 8, God used the Apostle Philip to share the Gospel with an Ethiopian man. There are three things in this chapter that help clarify our specific call to evangelism. First, we must be sensitive to the direction of the Spirit. “Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, ‘Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ This is desert. So he arose and went…” (Acts 8:26-27). As we see in this passage, God’s Spirit finds sinners whose hearts are open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He also works on soul-winners as well, prompting their hearts with the conviction to share. When the Holy Spirit leads, we must be prepared to listen and obey. God will lead us to someone who needs Jesus. Secondly, we must be swift for the demands of the Spirit. “Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go near and overtake this chariot.’ So Philip ran to him...’” (Acts 8:29-30). Philip had to run to catch this Ethiopian man. Many of us can recount times when God has prompted our hearts with an opportunity to witness and we waited until it passed. May we be more like Philip, running to witness to others, not letting a single opportunity pass by. Finally, we must be steadfast in the desire of the Spirit, which is to share Jesus. “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him” (Acts 8:35). We are all sinners and need to be saved; if the Holy Spirit resides in us, we will have a desire for others to understand this and receive salvation. Adrian Rogers says, “What a privilege God has given to us—one that angels don’t have, one that we will not have in the world to come—to bring souls to Jesus Christ.” Apply it to your life Are you sensitive to the spirit, swift to obey, and desire to bring others to Jesus?Adrian Rogers says, “God did not save you to be a member of Christians Anonymous; you are to endeavor to bring others to Jesus Christ.”

Dec 6, 202436 min

The Expedience of Obedience

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Acts 5:27-32 Being a Christian is a joyous thing; the reason we are not filled with joy in this Christian life could be a matter of disobedience. Adrian Rogers says, “Obedience is the missing ingredient in so many Christians’ lives.” What does it mean to truly obey Christ? What is the expedience of obedience?In Acts 5, Peter and the other apostles have caused quite a stir by preaching about Jesus Christ. The religious authorities are trying to stop a revival the apostles began. They command the apostles to stop preaching. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, ‘We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him’” (Acts 5:29-32). In this text, we are first given the reason for obedience. When God tells us to do something, our obedience is our duty and delight. We are indebted to God, our Lord and Savior, so we must decide to obey Him over men. Just as God cannot fail, act unjustly or deny Himself, He cannot force our loving obedience. It is not because His power is limited—it’s because of His very nature; He gives us a choice. We can’t obey God unless we first know what it is that He wants us to do. Once we know God’s will, we must be intentional about obeying it, and do so immediately. We will be held accountable for what we know, no matter what the cost. When He speaks, we must answer Him, regardless of circumstances. Only then can we see the supernatural rewards of our obedience: -We receive the Holy Spirit.-There is joy in our hearts.-The Gospel is shared and believed. When we obey God rather than men, we will see great multitudes of people come to Jesus Christ. Apply it to your life Would you like to have victory in your life? Know the will of God for your life and do it immediately, inflexible, and passionately.

Dec 4, 202438 min

Treasuring Truth

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Proverbs 23:23 In this day, it is not values that we desperately need, but virtue. We must be able to differentiate truth and fact: we acquire facts, but learn truth. Facts deal with knowledge, and knowledge can double, but truth never changes and is settled for eternity. We must make a habit of treasuring truth. Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” We must prize the truth, for it is indispensable, absolute, and attainable through the Word of God. It is not enough just to know it; knowledge without transformation avails nothing. We must see the transforming power behind it, through the Holy Spirit. We must also purchase the truth. Adrian Rogers says, “Salvation is free, but truth is costly; you pay a price to have truth.” John 8:31-32 says, “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Believing in Jesus is the first step in attaining truth; we must also abide in His Word through discipleship. Discipleship is costly—it costs time, discipline, and obedience; but ignorance is far more costly. We must study the Bible for enlightenment. If we know in knowledge but not in grace, we will be dangerous to ourselves and to others. Adrian Rogers says, “Truth is to your spirit what good is to your body, what light is to your eyes, what melody is to your ears.” We also study Scripture for our enjoyment; reading the Bible should not be perceived as a punishment but as a privilege. We read for our personal enrichment, to sharpen our minds and strengthen our wills. We read Scripture for our enablement, to grow in our faith and fellowship with others. Finally, we must preserve the truth; guarding it against those who will deny, distort, dilute and defile the Bible. We do this by proclaiming the Gospel truth: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Apply it to your life Do you treasure truth—prize, purchase, preserve, and proclaim it? Do you read Scripture for your enlightenment, enjoyment, enrichment, and enablement?

Dec 2, 202433 min

Give Thanks in Tough Times

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Ephesians 5:20 Perhaps the most difficult thing we’ll ever do is give thanks in tough times. It requires true maturity in the faith to see that God is good, even when things are not good. Ephesians 5:20 instructs us, “<a href="http://...giving" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">...giving</a> thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Our ability to choose thankfulness in times of trouble will reap maturity like never before. There are seven ways that trouble may minister to us. First, trouble may bring correction. Hebrews 12:6 says, “For whom the Lord loves He chastens…” God cares for us, so if our trouble is caused by our sin, He will lovingly correct us as a parent corrects their child. Second, trouble may deepen our dependency on Christ. Heartaches crowd us toward Jesus and cause us to depend on Him, who is our greatest strength. Third, trouble may confirm our testimony to others. It may be through deep sorrow and pain that, knowing and praising God, we become great witnesses. The God of all comfort promises to comfort us in tribulation; once we’ve experienced it, we can show that comfort to others. Trouble can also increase our maturity. God’s plan for His children is to mature in their faith and become more like Jesus Christ. Adrian Rogers says, “God had only one son without sin, but He’s never had a son without suffering.” When we endure trials fashioned by the devil and engineered by wicked people, we can thank God that He is using them to make us more like Jesus. Trouble can bring excelling glory. Faith that can’t be tested can’t be trusted. We can be thankful that the fiery trials bring the Spirit of glory upon us. Trouble can also bring baffling mystery.As exemplified in Scripture, sometimes troubles don’t make sense. We don’t live by explanations, but by God’s promises. We must obey Him. Finally, trouble will bring eternal victory. Romans 8 reminds us that current suffering doesn’t compare to future glory. There is victory in Jesus Christ; if we hold onto this promise in our troubles, we can be thankful for those troubles. Apply it to your life Are you facing tough times today? Give thanks to God, who is good even when things are not good.

Nov 29, 202435 min

Revival Is When God Shows Up

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Isaiah 64 No military power, economic upturn, or presidential election can bring the revival we so desperately need. Transformation happens when, by holy boldness, one person seeks the face of God; revival can happen in one person, in a family, in a church, in a country. Isaiah 64 shows us what happens when God shows up and revival breaks out. First, this passage tells us about the presence that produces revival.“Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence—as fire burns brushwood, as fire causes water to boil—to make Your name known to Your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at Your presence!” (Isaiah 64:1-2). When God comes down, mountains melt and sinners shake. His presence cannot be explained away or mocked. His presence makes the righteous rejoice (see Isaiah 64:4-5), because we know that God wants to meet with us. To experience His presence in this way, we must recognize the problems that prevent revival. “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6). We are corrupted by our sins; our self-righteousness is like filthy rags. We try to cover ourselves with the thing that defiles and condemns us. We can also be complacent in our sins (see Isaiah 64:7). We need to stir up our hearts—shake up and shake off the comfort of habitual sin. We cannot let sin consume us; it cannot eat us alive. If we are serious about revival, we must get right with God and put ourselves at His disposal. Lastly, prayer precedes revival; seeking His face means fervent prayer. This type of prayer recognizes God’s sovereignty, remembers God’s mercy, and respects God’s glory (see Isaiah 64:8-9). Adrian Rogers says, “The problem with so many of our prayers is we’re not willing to repent. We want God’s mercy, but seek no repentance; and prayer without repentance is a religious farce—a smokescreen Apply it to your life Do you want God’s presence to come down and begin a revival in you? Do you want His presence to bring unspeakable joy? Pray with sincere repentance. It is not your tears or emotions that save you—it is God who saves you. He saves us instantly, stays with us continually, and keeps us eternally.

Nov 27, 2024

Rise and Walk

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Acts 3:1-6 In Acts 3, Peter and John came across a beggar lying outside the temple gates. He had been lame from his youth, and begged the apostles for money. Through them, God performed a special miracle to authenticate their authority, given by the Holy Spirit. Acts 3:6-7 says, “Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” This was a miracle that could not be reasonably denied, humanly explained or lightly dismissed. There are four things about the name of Jesus, which caused this man to rise and walk. First, He is the risen Lord. Because the disciples knew that Jesus was alive, there was no way they could be daunted or intimidated by the world. They were absolutely certain that He had been raised from the dead. If we have a living Savior, then what have we to fear? Second, Jesus is the residing Lord. “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all” (Acts 3:16). Peter confessed that they did not perform the miracle themselves; instead, it came from Christ in them. He is alive and well in us. Third, He is the redeeming Lord. “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” (Acts 3:19). Through the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, God has overruled our wickedness with His righteousness, if we will repent and convert. Finally, He is the returning Lord; He is coming again. Adrian Rogers says, “What’s the world coming to? It’s coming to Jesus, because Jesus is coming to the world. Heaven has received Him until the time of restitution. He is coming to restore all things.” Apply it to your life If you are down, there is a miracle waiting for you in the name of Jesus. He is the risen, residing, redeeming, and returning Lord. Adrian Rogers says, “If the devil has you down, in the name of the Risen Savior, rise and walk.”

Nov 26, 202425 min

Five Ways You Can Encourage Others

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Acts 4:36-37 The Book of Acts tells the story of a man called Barnabas, which translates to, “son of consolation.” Barnabas’ gift for encouragement shows us five ways we can encourage others. First, Barnabas encouraged others by practicing stewardship. In Acts 4:36, Barnabas sold his property and gave the profits to the Church. He decided to meet the needs of others with the resources God had given him, no matter what it cost him. Encouragers understand that we all have something to give. Encouragers find needy people and enrich them, whether it’s by their money, time, or service. Second, Barnabas encouraged others by extending friendship. After the Apostle Paul’s conversion, he was despised by his old colleagues, but feared by his new brothers and sisters in Christ. He was a man who needed a friend; Barnabas found him and became a friend to this very lonely new disciple. A lot of new Christians need somebody to find and friend them. We must find the lonely and neglected, put an arm around them, and bring them into the fold. Barnabas encouraged others by building partnerships. In Acts 11, the Gospel was spreading quickly, and new believers were sprouting up everywhere. There were some concerns that some of them were not sincere. But Barnabas’s encouragement validated and affirmed those who were misunderstood. Barnabas encouraged others by developing leaders in the church. He found buried gifts in new disciples and helped them develop their talents. Our churches are full of talented people with abilities waiting to be discovered and developed. But it takes a “Barnabas” to find them. Finally, Barnabas encouraged others by rebuilding relationships. After the disciple Mark ran away from his calling, Barnabas sought him out and gave him another chance. This young disciple went on to write the Gospel of Mark. Thank God for the encouragers in our churches, who see second chances in us when no one else does. Apply it to your life Adrian Rogers says, “Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost; it was God in Him. God has cornered the market on encouragement.” We can all be encouragers like Barnabas. Ask God to fan the Holy Spirit in you to meet needs, befriend lonely people, affirm the misunderstood, develop disciples, and offer second chances.

Nov 22, 202439 min

Holy Boldness

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Acts 4:9-33 If there was ever a time for courage, it is now. In a world of cowardly Christians who are afraid of being criticized or disliked, we are called to be bold in our faith. Adrian Rogers says, “Boldness is having the courage to stand for the Lord Jesus Christ in the face of opposition.” We need the same holy boldness Peter and John had in Acts 4. Acts 4:13 says, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” There are three principles that are the basis of our courage. The first principle is to keep company with God the Son. Boldness comes from knowing that Jesus Christ is with us and in us. We must make certain that Jesus is real to us and that we are walking with Him daily. Second, we must have confidence in God the Father. “So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: ‘Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them…’” (Acts 4:24). We need to see God for who He really is. God the Father is the Creator of all things, Controller of all things, and Conqueror of all things. Adrian Rogers says, “The man who can kneel before God can stand before anyone else.” Finally, we must receive courage from God the Spirit. “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). If only we ask, the Holy Spirit of God will give us courage. The apostles did not ask for safety; they asked for courage, for the ability to do more of what got them in trouble in the first place. As a result of the disciples’ boldness, multitudes of new believers were swept into the kingdom of Heaven. Likewise, we are made bold by the Holy Spirit to express God’s Word, extend God’s Hand, and exalt God’s Son. Apply it to your life Are you a bold believer or a cowardly Christian? Take your eyes off your problems and focus your eyes upon Almighty God, the Creator, Controller, and Conqueror of all things.

Nov 20, 202434 min

The Amazing First Century Church

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Acts 2:22-26 Adrian Rogers says, “A New Testament, Spirit-filled, Bible-believing, Christ-honoring church is a mighty weapon in the hands of a holy God.” As the Body and Bride of Christ, the Church is the world’s first idea of Jesus. How do we exhibit the same power as the amazing first-century Church which turned the world upside down with the Gospel? First, we must remember that the Church exists to exalt the Savior. Acts 2:23-24 says, “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” In this passage, Peter proclaims the manner of Jesus’ life, the meaning of His death, and the miracle of His resurrection. Later in the same chapter, Peter proclaims the magnificence of Christ’s reign: “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33). One day, whether we believe in Jesus in this life or not, we will confess that He is Lord. Second, our purpose as the Church is to evangelize to sinners. True salvation begins with conviction by the Holy Spirit: “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart…” (Acts 2:37). Once convicted, a sinner must repent, changing his mind about sin and self. This conversion leads to a confession that Jesus is Lord. Finally, the Church exists to enlist the saints. The Holy Spirit resides in believers; we must urge each other to continue in His Spirit. We depend on each other to mature in the faith, through Bible study, fellowship and worship. We are bound together by stewardship, in tithes and offerings. And we are joined together through evangelism. We must be in the business of making Jesus known by living supernaturally. We cannot do it naturally, and we cannot do it alone. But if together we learn the Word of God and continue in obedience, we will make Jesus known to our neighbors and our nation. Apply it to your life Are you a part of a New Testament, Spirit-filled, Bible-believing, Christ-honoring church? Consider your purpose today: to exalt the Savior, to evangelize to sinners, and to enlist the saints.

Nov 18, 202434 min

The Principles of Power

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Acts 2:1-4 The Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 marked the birth of the Church, and the burst of the Holy Flame that is the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:1-4, the Holy Spirit was symbolized by fire and wind; it was vocalized by the speaking of tongues. This power was actualized in the disciples, as the Holy Spirit inhabited them and filled them. We must remember the principles of power, first given to us that Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is a promise to be received. “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39). The Holy Spirit is the one who communicates the things of God. Our human spirits are the instruments of spiritual knowledge. The Holy Spirit of God speaks to your human spirit that you belong to God. God’s promise to us is clear: When we receive the Lord Jesus Christ and obey Him, the Holy Spirit lives in us. Second, the Holy Spirit is a power to be released. God wants us to live with power. We cannot depend on ourselves to be holy; we can’t earn it and we are not worthy of it. But if we repent of our sins, this power is gifted to us. Adrian Rogers says, “Holiness is not the way to Christ; Christ is the way to holiness.” Finally, the Holy Spirit is a Person to be recognized. The Third Person of the Trinity works in us. If we try to take credit for what the Holy Spirit of God is doing, we are taking praise under false pretenses. We need to constantly give God the praise and glory for what He is doing. When we do this, some will be amazed. Others will be amused, mocking us, for they don’t understand the Holy Spirit. But most importantly, there will be those who acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior: “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:41). Apply it to your life Are you consciously, conspicuously filled with the Spirit of God? If not, you’re not just missing a blessing; you’re guilty of rebellion and sin. Consider your faith today; meditate on these principles of power.

Nov 14, 202435 min

Making Jesus Known

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Acts 1:1-3 Our greatest need in this world is Jesus; as believers, it is our greatest privilege to make Jesus known to our neighbors and nation. If we want to make Jesus known, we must first recognize His presence in us. Acts 1:1-2 says, “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen…” The Book of Acts takes place after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into Heaven. Yet, His work had only just begun, as He continued it through His disciples. Adrian Rogers says, “In the Gospel, Jesus began; in Acts, Jesus continues. In the Gospel, He did that through His literal body, in the Book of Acts, He does that through His mystical body.” We are now His Body; He wants to live and work through His Church, supernaturally, not superficially. Secondly, we need to rely upon His promise to us, which is the Holy Spirit. Jesus has commanded us to make disciples through evangelism, mark them through baptism, and mature them in ministry. (See Acts 1:8.) Yet, in Acts 1:4-5, Jesus instructs His disciples to wait in the city until they have received the Spirit to begin. The promise was fulfilled at Pentecost, and the disciples carried out this impossible mission. We are not waiting for the Spirit anymore. If we are saved, He has equipped and anointed us with the Holy Spirit to accomplish His work. Third, we need to respond to His program through us. As Believers, we are witnesses of Jesus, having seen and heard His power in our lives; we don’t have to know all the answers in order to share the Gospel with others. If we only recognize His presence in us, remember His promise to us, and rely upon His program for us to make disciples, we will see Jesus do something wonderful through us. Apply it to your life There are no barriers: no matter our age, education, or social status, God can use you right now, with what you have. God will supply all that you need to make Jesus known. Adrian Rogers says, “It’ll be a great day when we learn that Jesus doesn’t want us to do anything for Him; He wants to do something through us.”

Nov 13, 202427 min

Five Principles of Prosperity

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Genesis 24:56 God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servants. To prosper means that God’s hand is upon us, helping us do the things He wants us to do. In Genesis 24, Abraham chose his most trusted servant, Eliezer, to find a bride for his son. In the same way, God has commissioned the Holy Spirit to call out the Bride of Christ, so that we may prosper. This passage reveals five principles of prosperity. First, we must establish our cause. Each of us needs a purpose—something that drives and motivates us. It must be specific, clear, and balanced. A worthy goal is God-given; it creates enough motivation in us to accomplish it and demands our very best. To test the worthiness of our goals, we must ask: If we accomplish our goals, where will we be and what will we have? Are the things we are living for worth Jesus dying for? Second, we must examine our condition. We need to determine where we are now in order to know where to go and in order to plan for the obstacles in between. But remember, problems do not mean that God is not with us. 1 Corinthians 16:9 says, “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” Adrian Rogers says, “Opportunity swings on the hinges of opposition.” We must encourage our confidence by remaining in the Word of God. Scripture reminds us of the reward of our work: our Master will be pleased, there will be a Bride for Jesus and God will be glorified. Then we must pray. Eliezer asked God to prosper him in his purpose: “Then he said, ‘O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham’” (Genesis 24:12). We must enforce our character. We will not drift into success; we need to be disciplined in our decisions, appetites, and time. We will pay a price for prosperity, but God gives us everything we need to fulfill our purpose for Him. Finally, we must enlist our comrades. We cannot accomplish our goals by ourselves; God designed us to depend upon one another. Apply it to your life Prosperity is more than wealth or extravagance; it is knowing your God-given purpose and being given the grace to accomplish it. Adrian Rogers says, “The bottom line is: when we die, we leave behind everything we have and take everything that we are.”

Nov 11, 202436 min

Let the Fire Fall

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: 1 Kings 18:1-39 In 1 Kings 18, there were dark days of apostasy in Israel. The people had forgotten God and begun worshiping a false god named Baal in obscene and immoral ways. Then God sent the prophet Elijah to challenge them. 1 King 18:24 says, “Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God. In our own troublesome days, this story offers hope for those of us waiting for fire to fall again and ignite a church revival. First, there are some enemies of revival we must be aware of.There are the compromisers, represented by a man named Obadiah. (See 1 Kings 18:5-6) Like Obadiah, there are believers who have compromised and backslidden in their beliefs. In an attempt to befriend the world, they have become salt that’s lost its savor, and stumbling blocks to the saved. There are the corrupt, represented by Ahab and Jezebel. King Ahab was deeply religious, praying to idols and gods that fed his own pride and lust. But praise God—no king, court, or president can hold back revival. There are the confused, who are on the fence, represented by the crowd in 1 Kings 18: 19-21. The crowd will be swept into the Kingdom of God if there’s true revival in the Church. And there is the competition, the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. But as we see, the competition was not even close. No amount of praying and praising from Baal’s prophets could make fire rain down.This passage also reveals the elements of revival: The solidarity of God’s people, coming together in unity for an altar fellowship. -The separation of God’s people from the world.-The sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose powerful blood is our only hope.-The supernatural power of God, which shines even brighter through odds stacked against Him.-The strength of believing prayer.-The evidence of revival was immediate. Once Elijah called upon the Lord in prayer, God answered by fire. The worshipful response from the crowds reveals that revival fire from Heaven is all-consuming, convicting, and converting. Apply it to your life Adrian Rogers asks, “How much of your prayer life is consumed for the glory of God?” Pray for revival today—that God would send fire from Heaven through a Church revival; pray that God’s people will climb off the fence and serve Him.

Nov 7, 2024

Rivers of Revival

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Ezekiel 47:1-12 John 7:38 says, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” As we ask God to do something supernatural in our desperate world, we must pray to become like the rivers of revival pictured in Ezekiel 47. “Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar.” (v. 1) The Mysterious Source of the River It is a humble source; it flows from under the threshold. Adrian Rogers says, “Revival never begins without God’s people humbling themselves.” It is a holy source; it flows past the altar, the holiest of holy places. It is a heated source; it flows out towards the east, where the sun rises. The Marked Course of the River It flows into the depressed, deserted, and deadly places. There are people who are fearful and perplexed, unsatisfied, and spiritually dead. They don’t know the joy that we know or have the answers to life that we have. They need the rivers of revival to flow out of us. Ezekiel explains the mighty force of this river, declaring that where the water flows: Trees will grow: “When I had returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other” (v. 7). Ezekiel is talking about Christians who have strength and life, becoming trees that will not wither. (See Psalm 1:2-3.) Fish will go: In Matthew 4:19, Jesus said that we’re to be fishers of men. Evangelism is a by-product of revival; when the church gets right with God, others will come to Jesus. Fruit will show: Galatians 5:22-23 reveals the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Health will glow: When the rivers of revival flow through, the result is spiritual health: for us and those around us. Apply it to your life Are you thirsty for revival? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Pray for a river of revival to flow through you today.

Nov 5, 202434 min

Enemies of Revival

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: 1 Kings 18:1-6 1 Kings 18:1-6 tells the story of revival in dark days. After a severe drought, God told Elijah that He would send rain upon the earth. This story is a reminder to us that what God has done before, He can do, and will do, again. But there are some enemies of revival we must be aware of, many of whom belong to the Body of Christ. “So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab; and there was a severe famine in Samaria. And Ahab had called Obadiah, who was in charge of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly…)” (1 Kings 18:2-3). Obadiah feared God. However, when it came time to obey God or King Ahab, he chose Ahab, and sought out other solutions to the problem instead of God’s promise. (See 1 Kings 18:5-6.) There are many in our churches today who would, for some reason, rather line up with the enemy than stand with God. They are believers who have compromised and backslidden in their beliefs. In an attempt to befriend the world, they have become salt that’s lost its savor, and stumbling blocks to the saved. King Ahab was deeply religious, praying to idols and gods that fed his own pride and lust. No king, court, or president can thwart the power and plan of God. True corruption comes when the people of God refuse to take a stand. Enemies of revival are confused, and don’t want to understand. The ones who are on the fence will hold back revival. 1 Kings 18:22-29 tells the story of the competition on Mount Carmel—God vs. Baal, a false god. But the competition was not even close. No amount of praying and praising from Baal’s prophets could make fire rain down. Adrian Rogers says, “The great danger in America is not that the people of Baal pray; the great danger in America today is the people of God don’t.” Once Elijah called upon the Lord, fire rained down; God answered by fire. This reminds us that revival fire from Heaven is all-consuming, convicting, and converting. Apply it to your life If we want to see revival happen like it did in 1 Kings 18, there must be: 1. Solidarity and unity of the people of God2. Separation between the worshippers of God and worshippers of idols3. Sacrifice, which is the Blood of Jesus, our only hope4. Spiritual power, directly from God5. Supplication—precise, powerful, and purposeful prayer

Nov 1, 2024

The Power of Praise

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 Praise is a powerful thing, in times of joy and in times of help, but especially in times of trouble. A story from 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 shows us the power of praise when facing opposition. King Jehoshaphat was a God-fearing King, facing opposition from Ammon, Moab, and Seir. Likewise, we have three mighty kings that come against us on a regular basis – sin, sorrow, and death. Every Christian will meet these, and sometimes, the opposition will be fierce. In the case of King Jehoshaphat, powerful foes caused the king to focus on God through fasting. Fasting does not earn God’s blessings (which are given solely through God’s grace), but it does sharpen our focus on God.As a result, the nation came together in purposeful fellowship: “So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord, and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord” (v. 4). When we seek God together, He shows up and reveals His true nature. This passage shows us that God is: -Sovereign: There is no problem too big for Him. -Steadfast: God has worked miracles in the past, and He will never run out of them. -Sympathetic: If we cry out to God, He will hear and He will help. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmity.Seeing: God knows our situations, our enemies, and our danger. There’s nothing that escapes His notice.Saving: “O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (v. 12). The people of Judah learned that the battle was never theirs to win, but God’s; their part was to join the fight with praise. Adrian Rogers says, “Praise infuses the energy of God and it confuses the enemy of God. Praise fractures the unity of the enemy and formulates the unity of the believer.” As a result of the praise and obedience of the people, there was a provided fortune and peaceful future.Proverbs 16:7 says, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Apply it to your life Have you learned to praise God in your problems? Pray, and consider fasting, as you ask God for His guidance. Remember: the battle is the Lord’s; your part is to praise.

Oct 30, 202434 min

God Give Us Faithful Men

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Matthew 25:21 God preserves the faithful (see Psalm 31:23). Faithfulness is God’s measurement for our blessing. One day, our reward, or lack of it, will be according to our faithfulness. Faithfulness means integrity, loyalty, and steadfastness. In Matthew 23, we see what, why, and how to be faithful men and women of God. Matthew 23:21 says, “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” A man of God is faithful to family. He keeps his promises. He is faithful in his finances. He knows that how he handles money is an indication of how he handles spiritual treasure. He gives proportionally, as God prospers him. He is faithful in his friendships. Friends are bound to fail us, stumble, and do us wrong; but a faithful man is a good friend, who gives the benefit of the doubt and overlooks offenses. He is faithful to attend church. The Body of Christ owes each other fearful loyalty; for the Lord’s sake, a faithful man does not forsake the assembly (see Hebrews 10:25). He is faithful to the Word of God. To pass truth onto the next generation, a faithful man understands he has to be firmly rooted in Scripture.We ought to be faithful in these areas because Jesus is faithful to us. He is faithful to us in our failure, our temptation, and our falling. He is faithful to us to the very end, so we can be faithful to the end.We must be faithful in the small things because that is where success or failure truly lie. Adrian Rogers says, “Do you know what the big things In life are made up of? Little acts, little words, little thoughts.” We must be faithful in the secret things; Adrian Rogers says, “What you are in secret is what you are, nothing more or nothing less.” And we must be faithful in the sacred things; meet with God daily, fully committed, abiding in Him. Apply it to your life Yield to God, and ask Him to make you faithful in every area of your life. No amount of resolution or gritting your teeth will make you a faithful man of God. It comes from abiding in Jesus and showing up to meet Him every day.

Oct 29, 2024

Faithful in Ministry

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Ephesians 4:7 When God saved us by His grace, He gave each of us spiritual gifts. However, many of us do not understand how to use them. In order to be faithful in ministry, we must identify and develop our spiritual gifts.Ephesians 4:7 says, “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Spiritual gifts are God-given abilities for service and ministry. We do not choose our spiritual gifts; as our natural talents are embedded in us at birth, our spiritual gifts come at our new birth. There are several spiritual gifts identified in the New Testament, such as wisdom, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, and discerning of spirits. Other gifts include speaking in tongues, acts of service, ministry, exhortation, teaching, giving, ruling, and mercy. Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” There are five ways we can know our individual spiritual gifts: -Desire: We consider what we enjoy doing—what do we feel we naturally do well? -Discovery: We discover our gift as we endeavor to do it. -Development: Though they come naturally, our gifts must be crafted and studied. -Dependence: Our gifts must operate in the power of the Holy Spirit. -Deployment: We understand how our gifts operate as we work alongside other believers. -Finally, our gifts are displayed as we mature in our ministry. Ephesians 4:13 says, “...till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” Adrian Rogers says, “You can tell when the gifts are working in a church when the church becomes like the Lord Jesus Christ.” When the gifts are working, we will not be blown about by every wind of doctrine. Instead, we will learn how to speak truth in love and find that all of our gifts work together in flexible harmony. Apply it to your life It’s important to know our spiritual gifts and to discover and develop them, so that God may be glorified as we serve the Church.

Oct 25, 202436 min

Faithful in Stewardship

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Malachi 3:7-12 At its core definition, stewardship is our relationship with money: how we obtain, save, invest, spend, and give our wealth. God is interested in this relationship, as is Satan—our enemy who would love to keep us in financial bondage. If money increases our worries, or if we have plenty in the bank, but we have no treasure in Heaven, we are in financial bondage. We all want to be free from the curse of debt, but freedom is only found when we are faithful in stewardship. Malachi 3:7 says, “Yet from the days of your fathers, you have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the Lord of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’”In order to obtain financial freedom, we must first personally return to God. He does not need our money, but He wants our fellowship. When we remember tithing is God’s way of revealing our priorities to ourselves, we will see tithing as a great blessing. It is our privilege to show God that He is first in our lives and everything else is secondary. Adrian Rogers says, “God is not raising money; God is growing Christians. God wants us to grow in grace and knowledge and to love Him.” After our personal return, there is a financial release. “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:8). By biblical definition, tithing is ten percent given to the temple of God (church), for the work of the temple. Giving to charities or ministries is good, but it is not a replacement for our tithes. When we learn to give back to God freely, there will be a spiritual renewal. God will renew our faith, rebuke our foes, and restore our fruitfulness. Our offerings are like seeds for a crop: when we sow bountifully, we will reap bountifully. Apply it to your life Are you in financial bondage, seeking freedom from an indebted spirit? Remain faithful in stewardship; return to God, understanding He wants you first and foremost. Then, show your faithfulness through tithing.

Oct 23, 202437 min

Faithful in Evangelism

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Psalm 126:5-6 The wisest thing we could do in the eyes of God is to remain faithful in evangelism. Psalm 126:5-6 reveals the soul winner’s promise: “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”The soul is of great worth; Jesus died upon the cross, paying the price with His blood and agony to show how much He desired our souls. Our souls are also valuable because of their durability. When God made the human soul, He made it in His own image, therefore, it is endless, timeless, dateless, and measureless. Every soul has the potential to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ or to spend eternity in the pits of Hell. We would be wise to evangelize because it is the command of Christ. We remember that we are programmed to go forth (Psalm 126:6); nothing takes the place of going. It’s not enough to “live good lives,” because our lives are not what save souls…salvation through Jesus’s death and resurrection is what saves souls. Adrian Rogers says, “We are to be spiritually distinct, but not socially segregated.” We cannot lose our passion. If we feel we’ve lost our broken hearts for the unsaved, we must beg God to break them again. We must ask God to give us the eyes of Jesus who, when He saw the multitudes, was moved with compassion. (See Luke 19.) We must ignite our power, for we bear seed for sowing (Psalm 125:6). In this passage, the seed is the Word of God, and in that seed, there is life. Because there is power of life in the seed, there is power in the soul winner who scatters the seed. Finally, we must hold fast to our promise: if we keep sowing, we will see a harvest. We should not concern ourselves with the soil, we just sow the seed, asking God to give us open doors and increase. Apply it to your life Are you faithful in evangelism, recognizing your program, passion, power, and promise? Adrian Rogers says, “You let Congress make the laws; let the President try to run the nation. Let the Hollywood stars have the fame and let those guys play football. But if you are wise, you’re going to win souls.”

Oct 22, 202434 min

Faithful in Friendship

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12 It is important that we understand that while Jesus Christ and the Church are not identical, they are inseparable. We cannot forsake the church; we must remain faithful in fellowship. 1 Corinthians 12:12 says, “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” This passage describes the church as a body, with Christ as the head. As our bodies inhabit our humanity, the church inhabits Jesus Christ. The body serves the life of the person who lives inside of it; likewise, we are Jesus’ hands and feet. Adrian Rogers says, “Jesus is the invisible part of the visible church, and the church is the visible part of the invisible Christ.” We are not just a collection of parts; we have life. The Holy Spirit moves us, therefore we are more than an organization… We are an organism. We have many members, but we have one agenda. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13). The formation of the church body begins when the members are born again and spiritually baptized by the Holy Ghost. As a result, we are bound together as a single body in fellowship. We share a common life, unified by the Holy Spirit dwelling in each of us. We belong to one another, casting aside any competition with one another or isolation. We also show a common love as 1 Corinthians 12:25 and 26 say: “...that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” Finally, we serve the same Lord; Adrian Rogers says, “Loyalty to Jesus means loyalty to His body; you cannot love Jesus without loving what Jesus loves.” As Jesus loves the church—faults, failures, flaws, and all—so should we. Apply it to your life We are all somebody in His body; accept your role, whether you are an ear to hear or an eye to see. Be yourself and give yourself to the church; as we work with each other, Jesus Christ will be seen through us.

Oct 21, 202434 min

Faithful in Fellowship

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12 It is important that we understand that while Jesus Christ and the Church are not identical, they are inseparable. We cannot forsake the church; we must remain faithful in fellowship. 1 Corinthians 12:12 says, “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” This passage describes the church as a body, with Christ as the head. As our bodies inhabit our humanity, the church inhabits Jesus Christ. The body serves the life of the person who lives inside of it; likewise, we are Jesus’ hands and feet. Adrian Rogers says, “Jesus is the invisible part of the visible church, and the church is the visible part of the invisible Christ.” We are not just a collection of parts; we have life. The Holy Spirit moves us, therefore we are more than an organization… We are an organism. We have many members, but we have one agenda. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13). The formation of the church body begins when the members are born again and spiritually baptized by the Holy Ghost. As a result, we are bound together as a single body in fellowship. We share a common life, unified by the Holy Spirit dwelling in each of us. We belong to one another, casting aside any competition with one another or isolation. We also show a common love as 1 Corinthians 12:25 and 26 say: “...that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” Finally, we serve the same Lord; Adrian Rogers says, “Loyalty to Jesus means loyalty to His body; you cannot love Jesus without loving what Jesus loves.” As Jesus loves the church—faults, failures, flaws, and all—so should we. Apply it to your life We are all somebody in His body; accept your role, whether you are an ear to hear or an eye to see. Be yourself and give yourself to the church; as we work with each other, Jesus Christ will be seen through us.

Oct 18, 202434 min

Faithful in Worship

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: John 4:3-24 Our greatest need, privilege, and supreme duty as Christians is to worship God; it is the very reason we were created. We are invited, commanded, encouraged, and empowered to worship God because we become like what we worship. Adrian Rogers says, “If you want to be utterly miserable, turn your life inward. If you want to be filled with joy, turn your life upward. Look into the face of God and learn to worship.” In John 4, Jesus met a woman who had been blinded by Satan, broken by sorrow, and bound by sin. What Jesus shares with this Samaritan woman reminds us why it is important to be faithful in worship.First, Jesus taught her the meaning of true worship. It is easy to fall into the trappings of idolatry, insincerity, and iniquity. But, as Adrian Rogers says, “True worship is all that we are, responding to all that God is. It is the adoring contemplation of God revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ. We worship according to the worth we place on God.” Second, Jesus tells us how to practice the true method of worship. John 4:23-24 says, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” We must be regenerated by the Father. We cannot worship a God that we don’t know; we must make certain that we have been born into the Father’s family. We must be activated by the Spirit; it is impossible to honor God apart from being filled with the Holy Spirit. We must also be regulated by the Word; true worship is linked with studying the Word of God, for we worship in spirit and in truth. Finally, Jesus reminds us of our motives as worshippers. We go to church not primarily for what we can get but for what we can give. We glorify God when we bring our worship to church; it reveals that He is of the utmost importance in our lives. Apply it to your life What does your worship life say about how much worth you’ve placed on God? Consider the meaning, method, and motive of true worship as you glorify God in your faithfulness to Him.

Oct 16, 202438 min

Faithful in Bible Study

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: 2 Timothy 2:15 If we want to live holy lives, to be sanctified and powerful in the Lord, we must learn how to be faithful in studying God’s Word. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” First, if you want to understand the Bible, you must receive the saving Author of the Bible. Without Christ, we are spiritually blind, as 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” An unsaved man can read the Bible and appreciate its beauty, history, and moral precepts; yet he will never know the deep meaning of God’s Word until he’s born again. When Christ is in our hearts, our eyes are opened, our hearts are stirred and our minds are enlightened to the things of Scripture. Only then can we learn His statutes. Secondly, we must recognize the sovereign authority of the Bible. All Scripture is the breath of God, inspired by Him. The Bible interpreted by the Holy Spirit is the final authority—not human reason or conscience. Third, we must resolve to make a serious analysis of the Bible. It’s not enough to say that God is the author of the Bible or that the Bible is absolutely authoritative. We must rightly divide the Word of God, laying aside our intellectual pride and bringing our open minds. We must analyze it in context, with common sense and deep concentration. Read poetry as poetry, prophecy as prophecy, promises as promises, and precepts as precepts. Lastly, we must respond with a steadfast application of the Bible. To love God is to keep His commandments. Inspiration without obedience will cause the Word of God to sour within us rather than energize us. We must put these things into practice. Adrian Rogers says, “Bible study gives you knowledge about God. Obedience gives you knowledge of God. You can study the Bible and learn about God or you can obey the Bible and know God.” Apply it to your life Are you exercising your faithfulness in studying the Bible? Read God’s Word in context, with common sense and full concentration today.

Oct 14, 202433 min

Sharing the Light

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Acts 10:34 Would you be prepared to share the light of the Gospel the moment someone asks about it?In Acts 10, Simon Peter was invited into the home of Cornelius, a Roman officer, to share his faith with him and his household. Acts 10:34-35 says, “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.’” Peter, a Jew, preached the message of salvation to the first Gentile, claiming that the door of salvation is wide: anyone who wants to enter may come. But the way is very narrow: Jesus is the only way to Heaven. If we are not saved by Jesus alone, we are not saved at all. The evidence of Jesus Christ has not changed over time. The same testimony Peter gave to Cornelius is our testimony today. Peter’s threefold testimony reveals how we can share the light of Jesus with others.First, Peter gave his personal witness account as a saint. Having walked with Jesus and witnessed Him firsthand, Peter had unmatched confidence in the virtuous life, vicarious death, and victorious resurrection of Christ. Adrian Rogers says, “A Christian with a glowing witness is worth a library full of arguments.” Peter’s second line of evidence was the prophetic witness of the Scriptures. Acts 10:43 says, “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” The Old Testament also bore witness that every prophecy about the Messiah—more than 300—was fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. It is an absolute mathematical impossibility that these Scriptures could be fulfilled apart from divine inspiration and the deity of Jesus Christ. Finally, Peter had the persuasive witness of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God anointed Peter, so that his words would convince and convict Cornelius and his family.We are not waiting on the Holy Spirit—as Believers, God has already sent Him to strengthen and empower us to witness to others. Together, Peter’s personal witness, Scripture’s fulfilled prophecy, and the Spirit’s persuasion provoked the Gentile Pentecost, proclaiming that the Gospel was for everyone, even us! Apply it to your life Are you confident to share what Jesus Christ has done in your life? Have you asked God to anoint you with His Spirit, so that He may convict others through your testimony?

Oct 10, 2024

The Value of a Soul

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Mark 8:34 Our souls are of infinite worth. When God made the human soul, He made it in His own image, therefore, our souls are endless, timeless, dateless, and measureless. The soul is the most valuable part of each of us, and so often, the first thing we sacrifice for the things of this world.Mark 8:35-36 says, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” No one ever gains the whole world, and whatever part of the world you would gain, you cannot keep forever. The world cannot satisfy our deepest longings—neither pleasure, possession, nor philosophy could ever satisfy because God made us for Himself. Our souls are priceless treasures of tremendous worth; each one was formed with incredible creativity. Every soul has the potential to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Our souls are also valuable because of their durability; they last for all eternity. Adrian Rogers says, “God never makes duplicates. You are the handiwork, the crafting, of Almighty God.”Our souls are also extremely rare; each is unique. Our souls are of inestimable worth. Jesus died upon the cross, paying the price with His blood and agony to show how much He desired our souls. Therefore, we must be extremely careful with our souls. Any one soul not given to the Lord is a waste of a soul. It is a foolish transaction. Adrian Rogers says, “Your soul was made for God and until your soul finds its rest in God, your soul will never find satisfaction. You’re His poem—His masterpiece.” To lose your soul would be a tragic, immeasurable loss—all the wealth of this world cannot compare to the value of a soul. It is an irreplaceable and irreversible loss—after death, we don’t get a second chance.It’s an inexcusable loss—completely avoidable. Because of Jesus Christ, our sin has been atoned for. And if we belong to Christ and confess our sins, those sins are forgiven. We can be saved, through conviction, conversion, and confession. Apply it to your life Are you playing games, gambling with your soul? To lose it to this world would be a foolish, fatal tragedy. Give it to Jesus, who saves it and keeps it for all of eternity.

Oct 1, 2024

The Battle for Your Mind

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Whether we realize it or not, there is a battle raging in our minds at every moment: spiritual warfare between light and darkness, good and evil, Jesus Christ and Satan. We cannot afford to be ignorant, and we cannot possibly be neutral. 2 Corinthians 10 shares encouragement for us in this battle for our minds. First, this passage warns us of the warfare of our foe. There is a deadly array of demons dedicated to the destruction of our thought lives. They are under the authority of the prince of darkness—the devil. He wants our minds, because it is through the mind that God communicates, changes, and controls us. When we’re saved, we receive the mind of Christ, and use our minds in different capacities than we once did. The devil wants to corrupt our minds so we fall out of fellowship with Christ. Second, this passage addresses the weakness of our flesh. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh” (2 Corinthians 10:3). The spiritual battle is not in the flesh, but our flesh can be a point of weakness in our fight. We do not have what it takes to overcome on our own. This passage also reminds us of the weapons of our fight. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). One of our weapons is the sovereignty of God, who is our Commander-in-Chief in this fight. We also have the authority of our commission, as 2 Corinthians 10:8 says: “For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed…” Finally, remember, we have our certain courage. Jesus Christ has already won the war. We win the battle each and every day by guarding our minds with all diligence (see Proverbs 4:23). Apply it to your life Adrian Rogers says, “Center your mind upon Jesus. Don’t let the devil take away your pure-hearted devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Stay in love with Him and there won’t be any room for those filthy, wicked, lustful, prideful thoughts that bombard us all.”

Sep 27, 2024

Five Steps to Mental Health

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Philippians 4:4-8 Even the strongest Christian can struggle with mental health. Many of us find ourselves shackled by the chains of disappointment, depression, anger, and fear. While in prison, weighed down by real chains, the Apostle Paul wrote about the freedom we can have in Christ. In Philippians 4, he reveals five steps to mental health. Rejoice in the presence of the Lord. “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:4-5). Paul knew he was not alone in his prison cell; the Lord was with him. No matter our circumstance, the joy we have in the Lord is continuous, because Jesus is constant. Adrian Rogers says, “No matter where we are, how lonely the night, how dark the road, how dismal the prison, how big the problem, Jesus Christ is always there.” Rely on the protection of God. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication…” (Philippians 4:6a). Whatever problem we may face, we can talk to God about it. Worry hurts us so badly, because by definition, it is the idea of being pulled apart; it is useless, wasteful, and wicked. Rather, we can trust God in the big things and the little things. Reflect on the provision of God. “...with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6b). Rather than praying with self-pity, we should be filled with thanksgiving, praying with gratitude for all the Lord has done, and all He will do. Rest In the peace of the Lord. “...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). The peace of God is what guards us and protects us. We don’t keep this peace—it keeps us. Reflect on the purpose of God. “Finally…whatever things are true… noble… just… pure… lovely… of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8). We can be selective about what comes into our hearts and minds. We must keep our thoughts on the right things, so that we don’t miss the purposes of God. Apply it to your life Consider these five steps to mental health today. Pray that you would remember the Lord is near, to rejoice in Him and not in our circumstances. He is our protection, our provision, our peace, and our purpose.

Sep 26, 2024

How to Control Your Thought Life

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Philippians 4:4-8 Adrian Rogers says, “You can choose your thoughts like you choose your friends.” As Christians, we must have a standard regarding the kinds of thoughts we allow into our minds. Scripture shows us how and why we should control our thought lives. Philippians 4:4-7 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Every Christian who is in control of his thoughts will have conscious, contagious joy in the Lord. We will obtain healthy mental attitudes when we remember God is near, and we will recognize His presence continually. We must refuse to worry about anything; Jesus Himself tells us that worrying is worthless, wasteful, and wicked. (See Matthew 6.) Instead, we must bring every need to God—all the while, developing thankful spirits. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” This verse reveals exactly how we should screen our thoughts and what to admit into our minds: 1, Reliance Test: Is it true? Does it come from a reliable source?2, Respect Test: Is it honest, honorable, and worthy of respect?3. Rightness Test: Is it straight-line thinking or is it crooked thinking?4. Reverence Test: Is it pure, free of contamination, worthy of being lifted up in worship?5. Relationship Test: Does it cause you to love rather than criticize?6. Refinement Test: Is it a good report, high-toned, refined, and beneficial? We can win the war on our minds and control our thoughts, but it will not happen if we stay neutral. We must be intentional about thinking what is good. We will not overcome evil with anything other than what is good. Apply it to your life There is a correct standard for the thoughts we allow into our minds. Do you think about what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, or of good report? Be intentional today, as you meditate on what is good.

Sep 25, 2024

How to Have Mastery Over Your Mind

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Our thought lives are the root of many of our problems in this world gone wild. It is crucial that we have mastery over our minds and control over our thought lives. First, we must be sure of our salvation. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” The devil wants us to stay in the dark and blind our minds to the light of the Gospel. There’s a difference between the mind and the brain; the devil does not come after our intelligence, rather he wants to distort our minds. We become what we think about. (See Proverbs 23:7.) The carnal mind, which is at war with God, must be converted. There is no second step until we are sure we are saved. Second, we must pursue single-minded, heart-felt devotion to God. A converted mind can be corrupted; we can lose so much ground in the battle for our thought lives if we do not take action and give everything over to God. Third, we must root out the strongholds in our thought lives. A corrupt mind must be conquered. We must conquer compulsiveness, obsessions, fixations, and fears. We cannot let bitterness and resentment, uncontrollable lusts, phobias, criticisms, or distrust have a hold on us. This warfare is not carnal, so our weapons aren’t either. Education, psychology, nor positive thinking can help us take down these strongholds. Our fighting chance is the blood of Christ, the Word of God, and the authority in the name of Jesus. Finally, we must surrender our conquered minds back to the Lord. We cannot be neutral; we cannot merely dethrone the enemy—Christ must be enthroned in our thought lives. Adrian Rogers says, “No man can think two things at one time. If you’re thinking what is right, you cannot be thinking what is wrong. You can choose your thoughts like you can choose your friends.” Our great hope is that the conquered mind can be controlled by bringing every thought to Jesus Christ. Apply it to your life Bring every thought to obedience, and let the Lord Jesus Christ screen your thought life today.

Sep 24, 2024

A Conquering Church

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Genesis 1; Ephesians 1 God made man and woman to have dominion, victory, and mastery; it is the very reason we were created. Once we understand this, we can come together as a conquering church and take back what was lost by Adam and was restored by Jesus Christ, the Second Adam. According to Genesis 1:26, God gave dominion on earth to Adam.But Satan, a fallen angel who became the father of the night, lost the battle in Heaven and hopes to win the battle on Earth. He came to the Garden of Eden as a serpent and tempted Adam and Eve to sin; therefore, they turned dominion over to him and became his slaves. But this dominion, legally lost by Adam, was righteously regained by Jesus Christ! Adrian Rogers says, “God owes Satan nothing, but God owes everything to His own justice. Jesus Christ came to this Earth as the second Adam, to gain back what the first Adam lost.” It was lost by a man, and it was legally restored by a man: “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). Satan tried to tempt Jesus to sin as he had tempted Adam (Luke 4), but Jesus defeated Him by the Word of God. At Calvary, when Jesus died and was buried, the devil believed he had won. But three days later, Jesus walked out of the grave and brought back dominion that had been lost. Finally, this dominion has been gloriously given to the Church. Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” When God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, He raised us up as well. The devil wants to keep us in the dark so that we never see the incredible power we’ve been given. But when we finally recognize it, all Heaven will break loose. Apply it to your life Adrian Rogers says, “The same weapons that belonged to Adam in the Garden of Eden were the weapons that Jesus Christ used in the wilderness.” Spend some time in Scripture, dwell on the Word of God, exercising your dominion, rightfully restored by Jesus Christ.

Sep 23, 202437 min

A Worshipping Church

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: John 4:23-24 We were created to worship God; it is life’s greatest privilege and supreme duty to worship Him. It is the act of worship, and coming together as a worshiping Church that transforms our lives from monotonous to momentous. First, we must understand the meaning of true worship. John 4:23-24 says, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” In this passage, Jesus explained to a Samaritan woman what worship is, and how it differs from the religion she was accustomed to. Adrian Rogers says, “We don’t have to have enthusiastic heresy, or lifeless orthodoxy. …It’ll be a great day in any church when you stop enduring religion and start enjoying true worship.” Worship is a response of gratitude to all that God has revealed Himself to be, through Jesus Christ. Second, we must understand the motive of true worship, and why God is seeking worshippers. We become like what we worship. This is why it’s important to know exactly who we are worshipping, because if we do not worship Almighty God, we will be susceptible to worship anything else. Not only does God seek worshippers for what it does for us, but also for what it does for Him. Our praise gives Him pleasure as our Father; He yearns for our devotion and our honor. Finally, we must understand the method of true worship: both in spirit and truth. When Jesus says to worship God in spirit, He is referring to our innermost being. If our spirit is dead or warped, we can’t truly worship. Our praise must come from an honest place. But we must also remember to worship in truth; our emotions cannot dictate our praise—there must be an intelligent worship. Adrian Rogers says, “Your worship will never rise higher than your knowledge of God.” Spirit and truth go together; we honor God by actively praising with our spirit and seeking truth in His Word. Apply it to your life The ultimate privilege is to love God and worship Him in spirit and truth. Today, love Him passionately with all your heart, selflessly with all of your soul, and thoughtfully with your mind.

Sep 20, 202433 min

A Praying Church

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Matthew 7:7-8 There is no substitute for prayer, and a church is only as useful as her prayer life. The devil cannot keep God from answering our prayers, so he tries to keep us from asking. But our Lord has commanded us to pray. Adrian Rogers says, “The greatest problem that you have in your life is not unanswered prayer; the greatest problem is unasked prayer.” Matthew 7:7-8 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” These are the words of Jesus—an undeniable, impeccable promise to a praying church. God already knows our needs before we ask. We pray, not to impress or inform Him, but to invite Him into our circumstances. God wants us to abide in Him, and prayer teaches us to depend on Him. This passage reminds us first to ask and express our desires to God. There is no division between spiritual things we should ask for and secular things we shouldn’t. We can’t consider some things too big or too small for God to answer. Whatever our desires may be, if they are something we can ask God’s help for, we should give them to God. Sometimes the answer is direct. Secondly, we’re reminded to seek and expect direction from God. Sometimes, God’s ways are unknown to us, so His answers are different from what we expect. What we ask for is not what God wants us to have. As we seek God, He will direct our prayers over time so that we will ask for the right things. Finally, this passage tells us to knock and exercise determination with God. We cannot give up too easily; we must remember that sometimes, God’s answers are delayed and we must be persistent. We should only stop knocking after we have an answer in hand or in our hearts, or if God says “no.” Until then, we must ask, seek, and continue knocking, inviting God into our lives, one prayer at a time. Apply it to your life Is there something in your heart and mind that you’ve been afraid to pray for? Freely ask God, seek Him, and continue knocking. He is faithful to answer, whether directly, differently, or delayed.

Sep 19, 202432 min

A Spirit-Filled Church

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: John 14:12 A Spirit-filled Church does not just organize and process members—it empowers and equips believers to be transformed by Scripture. John 14:12 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” The Exciting Program This passage reveals that as a Church, we are not only to do the works of Jesus, but also to exceed the works of Jesus. We won’t walk on water, but we will multiply the kingdom by leading people to Jesus. Adrian Rogers says, “Bringing a soul to Jesus Christ is greater than raising a man from the dead.” There is no substitute for evangelism; the Church is to share the Gospel with others. The Explicit Promise We also remember our explicit promise: that God will answer our prayers. Prayer is not preliminary to our work; it is the work. To do the greater works that Jesus commands us to do, we must labor in prayer. This requires the right people praying, with the right power, for the right purpose. The Expected Practice Third, this passage reminds us that we’re expected to keep God’s commandments. (See John 14:15.) We are expected to obey the Lord if we love Him. We are all called to be witnesses to what God has done for us; it is simple, but there is no cheap or easy way to do it. The Exceeding Power To do all of this, we need the exceeding power of the Holy Spirit. John 14:16 says, “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever…” Adrian Rogers says, “The Holy Spirit is Christ in the Christian.” In the Holy Spirit, we have a Great Comforter who empowers and strengthens us. We are never left to do these greater works alone; He is with us and within us. Each Christian life is a culmination of three miracles: salvation through Jesus, the hope of His Second Coming, and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment for daily living. Apply it to your life To be a Spirit-filled Church, each one of us must be filled with the Holy Spirit; are you being obedient to the Lord? Are you seeking to multiply the Kingdom by winning souls to Jesus?

Sep 18, 2024

A Steadfast Church

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Nehemiah 4 Anyone who does something in the name of the Lord will face spiritual warfare. This is why a steadfast church is bound to be attacked by the enemy. Our enemy is very methodical. But the Holy Spirit is our ally. Not only can we know the enemy’s methods, but we can also stand against them. In the Book of Nehemiah, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt, despite spiritual opposition. We can clearly see the enemy’s tactics at work in Nehemiah 4. First, he tries derision. He mocked Nehemiah and his team, calling them feeble, futile, and foolish. The devil will try to laugh us away from our purpose. If that doesn’t work, he’ll try discouragement. About halfway through any big task, we’ll find we are discouraged by fatigue or frustration. This is on purpose; we must stay on track. Next, the devil tries dismay. He will use physical intimidation to scare us. But when threatened, Nehemiah and his team remembered the Lord and resisted the enemy; they continued to build and stood ready to battle at the same time. (See Nehemiah 4:18.) The devil will also attack with discord and division. We cannot let Satan drive a wedge in our fellowship. Whenever we stand for things within the church body, they must be for the right purpose, in the right spirit, at the right time. Adrian Rogers says, “If you are wise, you’ll always be a part of the solution, never a part of the problem.” Next, he tries to distract us. Satan’s motivation never changes; if he seems to be reasoning with us, it’s a diversion tactic. He is not our friend; we must keep our eyes on the Lord and continue serving Him. Finally, as he did with Nehemiah, the enemy will defame us among our peers and criticize our motives. When we live for Jesus, we will be slandered. We must never listen to any slander about another child of God. It is all garbage. Isaiah 54:17 says, “’No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,’ says the Lord.” Apply it to your life Christians: don’t be afraid of the enemy’s attacks. Commit to doing good work—a child of God is always building and battling at the same time.

Sep 16, 2024

When God Cleans House

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Matthew 21:12 Adrian Rogers says, “Salvation is not getting Man out of Earth into Heaven; it is getting God out of Heaven into Man.” When we were saved, we became temples of the living God. God has come to dwell within us forever. But while God will not move out, He will clean house. If we are truly His, God will do a cleansing work on our hearts. Matthew 21:12 says, “Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers...” In this passage, we can clearly see the temple had been profaned. The money-changers were dishonest in their dealings, stealing from the people in God’s house. Our bodies are now the temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We were saved to bring Him glory. We must ask ourselves: are we glorifying God with what we watch, listen to, consume, say, and do? Matthew 21 also shows how Jesus purged the temple. Jesus will not live in a dirty house. As He drove the money-changers out with a whip, He will purge the junk out of our lives through chastisement. This is not a joyful process, but it is necessary for our holiness. Sometimes rather than chastisement, God will cause disruption. When He overturns tables, pay attention. Finally, this passage brings us back to the purpose of the temple. The temple is a place of prayer. In Matthew 21:13 Jesus says: “My house shall be called the house of prayer, but you’ve made it a den of thieves.” We must be in the habit of praying without ceasing; the incense in our hearts should be rising all the time, praying about everything. The temple is also a place of power; the blind and broken came for healing at the temple. God performed miracles in the temple, and this is merely an illustration of the greater things God wants to do through us: win souls for Him. Finally, as day follows night, a place of prayer becomes a place of praise. Not only do we praise Him, but others will see His work in our lives and praise Him, too. Apply it to your life Is your body a temple for the living God? Are you glorifying God with your body? What is there in your life that would cause somebody else to praise God?

Sep 14, 202432 min

Let the Rain Fall

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: 1 Kings 18:39-45 Revival is when God shows Himself to be present in the midst of His people. Revival is often visualized as fire falling down, but after the cleansing fire comes the cooling flood. In 1 Kings, the prophet Elijah prayed earnestly for drought in the land in judgment of sin. After God cast His judgment on the land through a three-year drought, Elijah prayed again, this time for rain. 1 Kings 18:39-41 says, “Then Elijah said to Ahab, “‘Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.’” The position of Elijah’s prayer was integrity and sincerity. The person behind the prayer was a man of integrity; his heart was clean and pure. Sometimes, sin in our lives can prevent us from getting answers to our prayers. We must each strive to be people of integrity. Elijah also prayed with a sincere heart. He did not pray to be seen by others; he got alone with God to pray. (Se 1 Kings 18:41.) We must be careful not to put our prayer life on display; it is not a show for all to see. Sincerity comes when we get alone with God. We also see the posture of Elijah’s prayer. Though he was bold as a lion, Elijah did not strut in the presence of God. He humbly bowed before the Lord. Elijah’s passionate prayer also revealed his fervency. He didn’t settle for little platitudes; he recognized the labor of true, fervent prayer. It takes work; in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed until He sweated blood. Note the persistence of Elijah’s prayer. Elijah’s persistence revealed a character of consistency. In 1 Kings 18:43, Elijah sends his servant to the mountaintop to look for rain: “And seven times he said, ‘Go again.’” Sometimes the Lord, in His wisdom, waits; we must keep praying as we wait. As we are waiting and praying, these characteristics will begin to take root, and God will give us the victory. Adrian Rogers said, “If we pray like Elijah, who prayed down fire from Heaven, then we can pray down the floods.” But we will not have the flood until after the fire—until we judge our sin. Apply it to your life Adrian Rogers said, “Have faith in God when your prayers aren’t answered. Your earnest plea He will never forget. Wait on the Lord. Trust His Word and be patient. Have faith in God.”

Sep 14, 202418 min

The Problem of Procrastination

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Acts 24:24-27 Many of us struggle with procrastination, but do we realize that is doing great damage to us? Do we ever grasp the true problem of procrastination? Adrian Rogers tells us, “Procrastination is more than the thief of time, it is the grave of opportunity and it may be the road to hell.” There are a few reasons people reject the Gospel upon hearing it. Perhaps the most common reason is procrastination. They put it off, thinking that they will have plenty of time to receive Christ later on. That’s the case in Acts 24. In this passage, Paul is a prisoner of Caesarea and the Roman judge, Felix calls for him to answer questions he has about Jesus Christ. Paul preaches a Christ-centered message, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit is so strong, Felix trembles. Felix was at the threshold of salvation, but then he did something that so many people do: he said, “When I have a convenient season, I will call for you.” (Acts 24:25) There are three things we can learn from Felix’s procrastination. First, see the sermon that convicted Felix. Here was a sinful man whose heart was in need of a Savior. Paul did not back down. He delivered a message, first concerning God’s standard of righteousness. Then he discussed Felix’s self-control, and the judgment of God to come. See, also the pressures that confronted him. When the Holy Spirit convicted Felix, the devil moved in to confront him. There were three mighty forces that warred against this man’s soul—the world, the flesh, and the devil. These are three enemies we all face, and sometimes, like Felix, they cause us to retreat. Finally, see the presumption that condemned Felix. Acts 24:27 reveals that Felix never received Christ. Felix made three tragic assumptions: -that convenience will come,-that conviction from the Holy Spirit would continue, and-that conflicts would cease. But he forgot as many of us do… tomorrow may never come. Adrian Rogers says, “Tomorrow you will have more sin to repent of. And tomorrow you will have a harder heart to repent with.” Apply it to your life Do you have trouble with procrastination? Is it harming you more than it should? Don’t wait until tomorrow to repent of your sins; do it right now!

Sep 12, 202430 min