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Though you will experience confusion and frustration on this sin-stained earth, God wants you to enjoy your life when you walk in wisdom with Him at the center of it. - God has authoritatively spoken about how to wisely live in His world, even though it is cursed (12:9–12). - God has authoritatively warned and encouraged you in wisely living in His world, even though it is cursed (12:13–14). - Scripture and a God-centered Life of Joy (Genesis 3:1–8; 1 Timothy 4:1–5). -- You must remember the source of suffering (Genesis 3:1–5; 1 Timothy 4:1–2). -- You must embrace the simplicity of a joyful life (Genesis 3:1–6; 1 Timothy 4:3). -- You must receive in joyful gratitude the simple gifts of God's daily grace (Genesis 3:2; 1 Timothy 4:4–5).

This sermon addresses the theological objection that living under grace rather than law leads to lawlessness, affirming that grace does not license sin but empowers holy living. The central argument posits that believers are slaves to whom they obey, choosing between the death that results from sin and the righteousness that flows from obedience to God. The message highlights the deliverance from sin through the doctrine of the gospel, urging gratitude for God's grace which justifies and transforms the believer. It concludes with a call to present one's entire being as an instrument of righteousness, emphasizing that true freedom in Christ leads to a life of holiness and service to God's glory.

This sermon examines the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel as recorded in Joshua, using the allocation of cities to the Levites and the establishment of cities of refuge to illustrate divine faithfulness. The central message argues that God's perfect faithfulness, character, and perfection should serve as the primary motivators for the believer's own holy response. It emphasizes that believers are called to imitate God's nature, distinguishing between their positional holiness in Christ and the practical pursuit of sanctification in daily life. The tone is instructional and encouraging, urging the congregation to view God's historical actions as a foundation for personal devotion and moral excellence. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a life of gratitude and obedience that reflects the reliability and love of the Creator.

This sermon explores the themes of service, stewardship, and intercessory prayer as outlined in Romans 15. It emphasizes that the Christian life is marked by a spirit of submission and gratitude, where believers are called to serve one another rather than seek personal recognition. The text highlights the importance of fulfilling financial commitments, or faith promises, noting that spiritual fruit is only sealed when the promise is actually carried out. Furthermore, it urges the congregation to actively support missionaries through specific, named prayers for their protection and ministry acceptance. The message concludes with an exhortation to embrace a full-time Christian lifestyle, finding joy in the calling to serve God regardless of external rewards or recognition.

Prayer is not merely a religious duty, but an essential expression of your gratitude to God and your dependence on His grace. You are called to approach Him with humility, sincerity, and confidence, knowing that He hears you because of Christ rather than your own worthiness. The Lord's Prayer teaches you to seek God's glory and will before your own desires. As you develop a faithful and consistent prayer life, remember that God values your sincere dependence on Him more than impressive words or intense emotions.

This sermon explores the theme of divine compassion as illustrated through Jesus' interactions with a leper and a paralytic in Luke 5. The central message asserts that Christ's presence and actions, empowered by the Holy Spirit, transform lives by cleansing sin and restoring relationships with God and others. The text highlights the theological significance of Jesus touching the leper, violating cultural norms, and forgiving the paralytic's sins to demonstrate his divine authority. Pastor contrasts the responses of the healed men, noting that true gratitude involves both faith and obedience to Christ's commands, such as the paralytic's immediate act of walking and glorifying God. Finally, the sermon calls the congregation to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, obey his word by putting off sin, and serve as instruments of his compassion in their own communities.

Christ has set you free not to live however you please, but to love and serve God and others. Because you are no longer under the law's condemnation, your obedience can flow from gratitude and love rather than fear. True faith produces a growing desire for holiness, guided by God's Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit. As you stand firm for biblical truth, remember to treat fellow believers with patience and love, using your freedom to build others up rather than tear them down.

El sermón examina la metáfora del olivo en Romanos 11 para ilustrar la soberanía de Dios en la salvación de judíos y gentiles. Se enfatiza que los creyentes gentiles, injertados en el olivo cultivado del pacto de Dios, deben mantener una actitud de humildad y gratitud, evitando toda arrogancia hacia los judíos. El texto advierte sobre la severidad divina hacia la incredulidad y la soberbia, recordando que la fe genuina produce temor reverente y perseverancia en la santidad. Se rechaza la idea de dos objetos separados de amor divino, afirmando que la iglesia es el remanente escogido por gracia, compuesto por ambos grupos. Finalmente, se exhorta a la congregación a cultivar la humildad, la gratitud y una fe activa que dependa exclusivamente de la obra de Cristo.

El sermón explora el concepto bíblico de tener la misma mente de Cristo, definido no como un sentimiento, sino como una actitud de humildad y despojamiento de uno mismo. Se contrasta la posición de Cristo, que siendo en forma de Dios no se aferró a su igualdad divina, con la tendencia humana a la soberbia y la defensa de derechos propios, ilustrada mediante ejemplos cotidianos de frustración y conflicto. El mensaje insta a los creyentes a renovar su entendimiento según Romanos 12:2, reconociendo que el cambio de mentalidad es la clave para transformar la conducta y la interacción con los demás. Se enfatiza que la verdadera libertad y la paz no provienen de controlar las circunstancias externas, sino de adoptar la disposición de siervo que Cristo demostró al humillarse por la salvación de la humanidad. Finalmente, se presenta esta renovación mental como un acto de culto racional y una necesidad espiritual para vivir en armonía y gratitud.

This sermon addresses the danger of legalism, described as the 'ditch on the right' that Christians must avoid while pursuing a life of obedience to God's commandments. The central argument is that legalism arises from a false theological separation between salvation and sanctification, treating the Christian life as a two-stage process rather than an organic outgrowth of the Gospel. By relying on self-generated righteousness and man-made rules instead of the sustaining grace of Christ, believers risk becoming disconnected from the Head of the Church. The message emphasizes that true obedience flows naturally from a heart transformed by God's love and the work of the Holy Spirit, rather than from a desire to earn favor or maintain self-righteousness. Listeners are urged to remain rooted in the assurance of justification and adoption, allowing the law to function as a rule of gratitude rather than a burden of performance.

Dr. Bill Jones heads to Lowe's in Brooklyn for supplies as New York Gospel Ministries continues nearly fifteen years of repairing its historic building. Cracks in the back porch and a drain that no longer functions have let water leak into the basement, damaging a ceiling that has been patched before. Working alongside a contractor, he is removing the loose and damaged porch surface, laying down a new one, and sealing it with a newly introduced waterproof paint-on product. He reflects that maintaining a building the Lord has kept since 1873 consumes time but is an investment in the next generation. He expresses gratitude for mission teams and skilled professionals who use their gifts in carpentry, sheetrock repair, painting, and concrete work to help preserve the ministry's facility.

From the full study video: https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/423262244122112

This sermon explores the theological progression from sin to forgiveness as outlined in Leviticus 5, emphasizing that sin inevitably produces guilt, which must be addressed through verbal confession. The message identifies three specific areas of human failure—silence in the face of injustice, violation of purity, and broken promises—to illustrate the pervasive nature of sin and the necessity of a clear conscience. It argues that the Old Testament sacrificial system was a temporary shadow pointing to Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest who provides true atonement through His sacrifice. The preacher encourages believers to respond to this grace with four specific actions: finding joy in their forgiven status, engaging in focused worship, striving for godly living, and sharing the Gospel with others. The tone is pastoral and instructional, aiming to move the audience from a burden of guilt to a life of elated gratitude and active discipleship.

This devotional explores the First Commandment through the lens of the Heidelberg Catechism, defining it as a call to avoid all forms of idolatry and to place exclusive trust in the one true God. The teaching emphasizes that true obedience is a fruit of saving faith and gratitude, rather than a means to earn salvation, citing 1 Corinthians to warn that unrighteousness and idolatry disqualify one from inheriting the kingdom. Scripture passages from Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Matthew are used to illustrate the severe spiritual and moral consequences of turning to false gods, witchcraft, or worldly powers. The sermon concludes by affirming that God alone is the source of hope, strength, and salvation, urging believers to reject the worship of saints or angels and to rest their souls solely in the Lord.

This sermon explores the biblical response to anger and irritation by emphasizing the foundational importance of personal dedication to God. Drawing from Romans 12 and the book of Job, the message argues that a believer's identity as belonging to God allows them to view life's difficulties as tools for character development rather than sources of resentment. The central theological theme is that God uses adverse situations to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, and patience, in the lives of believers. By shifting focus from the immediate problem to God's sovereignty and purpose, individuals can choose gratitude and self-control over reactive anger. The sermon concludes with a call to recognize these challenges as divine instruments for conforming the believer to the image of Christ.