Advertise on podcast: Holy Spirit on SermonAudio

Pastor Don's Books: https://ttwpress.com 2849 - https://www.thetruthpulpit.com

Why are the Rod and Reproof so necessary? Proverbs 29:1–15 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the rod and reproof are means that God uses to conform a child to Christ. The devotional explores the divine purpose behind parental discipline, explaining that the combination of verbal rebuke and physical correction is essential for training a child to receive God's Word. It contrasts the tragic trajectory of a child left to himself, who hardens his heart and harms self and others, with the wisdom cultivated through consistent, loving correction. The text emphasizes that this discipline is not an end in itself but serves the rebuke, which is a means of grace by which Christ brings the child to repentance and faith in Himself. The message urges parents to trust in God's sovereignty to use these instruments for the spiritual formation of their children, lest they end up in themselves rather than in Christ and like Christ.

This sermon examines the biblical foundation of marriage by contrasting the lack of family emphasis in the Old Testament with the specific instructions found in Genesis and Ephesians. It highlights the necessity of leaving one's parents to become one flesh with a spouse, using the creation narrative to illustrate that a suitable helper must share the same spiritual nature. The teaching positions marital unity as a critical bridge between being filled with the Holy Spirit and standing against the devil, arguing that spiritual strength is built through obedience to these relational commands. The tone is instructional and convicting, urging believers to prioritize their marriage partners over parental ties to avoid the spiritual and relational failures seen in biblical history.

Pastor Don's Books: https://ttwpress.com 2848 - https://www.thetruthpulpit.com

This sermon examines the encounter between Jesus and the woman caught in adultery, highlighting the tension between divine justice and mercy. The preacher identifies the Pharisees' use of the law as a manipulative tactic to trap Jesus, contrasting their hypocrisy with Christ's genuine compassion. By challenging the accusers to cast the first stone, Jesus disarms their plot while upholding the seriousness of sin, demonstrating that only the sinless can judge. The central message emphasizes that Jesus satisfies the law's demands through his own sacrifice, allowing him to extend mercy without compromising God's holiness. The sermon concludes with an invitation for sinners to approach Christ, who meets them in their brokenness and calls them to a new life of holiness through the work of the Holy Spirit.

This sermon expounds on Ephesians 4:25-32, arguing that believers, as new creations in Christ, must align their actions, speech, and thoughts with their renewed identity. The central message emphasizes that God is concerned not merely with external behavior but with the heart, which dictates both words and attitudes. The text highlights the duty to speak truth and edify others, avoiding falsehood, gossip, and malicious speech, while also addressing the need to manage anger and replace sinful thoughts with those that please God. Drawing on the Westminster Larger Catechism, the exposition provides specific applications for the Ninth Commandment, urging listeners to pursue integrity, kindness, and spiritual growth through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The sermon emphasizes the necessity for the church to maintain spiritual vigilance and purity, particularly in the aftermath of a revival experience. Drawing primarily from Ephesians 5, the message argues that God values the holiness of the bride of Christ over her fruit, urging believers to remain without spot or blemish. The text uses the narrative of Achan and Joshua to illustrate how individual sin and a lack of prayer can jeopardize the entire congregation, while also warning against false teachers who cause division and serve their own interests. By citing examples of apostasy and false prophecy, the speaker encourages the congregation to rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment and to continue seeking God's face through prayer to sustain the work of the Spirit.

The sermon explores the Apostle Paul's relentless pursuit of spiritual maturity, urging believers to move beyond satisfaction with their current state toward higher ground in their relationship with Christ. Drawing from Philippians 3, the message emphasizes that salvation is not the final goal but rather the beginning of a journey to know Christ intimately, share in His sufferings, and attain the perfection of His resurrection. The preacher uses the metaphor of a mountain climber and a superconductor to illustrate the desire for a life free of resistance to the Holy Spirit, where God's power flows without hindrance. This exhortation challenges the congregation to forget past victories and failures, pressing forward with a single-minded focus on the prize of the high calling of God. The tone is both convicting and encouraging, calling for a hunger to experience the fullness of God's presence and power in the present age.

This sermon explores the command in 1 Peter 5:5 for all believers to be clothed with humility, defining it not as a personality trait but as a deliberate grace worked by the Holy Spirit. The central message contrasts the divine opposition to pride with God's generous provision of grace to the humble, using the example of Christ washing the disciples' feet to illustrate true greatness found in service. The exposition identifies three realities that dismantle pride: recognizing oneself as a creature, a sinner, and a recipient of grace, thereby shifting the focus from self-importance to the glory of God. The tone is pastoral and convicting, urging listeners to examine their motives in service and relationships, and to view lowly positions as fertile ground for spiritual growth. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a daily, practical application of humility through self-forgetful obedience and a growing sight of Jesus Christ.

This sermon explores the practical wisdom found in Ecclesiastes 10 for navigating the unpredictability and brokenness of the fallen world. It presents six key principles for living well, including maintaining composure under erratic authority, applying wisdom to avoid danger, exercising restraint in speech, cultivating diligence to prevent decay, stewarding resources wisely, and maintaining integrity between private and public life. While these are sound principles, they ultimately point to Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect wisdom, speech, diligence, and integrity. The central message is that believers are called to pursue Christlikeness not through self-effort alone, but by relying on the Holy Spirit to transform their hearts and actions. The tone is instructional and pastoral, encouraging the congregation to let these timeless truths shape their daily conduct and character.

This sermon explores the promise of the Holy Spirit as the 'Comforter' who abides with believers forever, addressing the disciples' need for aid in the face of Jesus' impending departure. It identifies the Spirit as the Helper and Spirit of Truth, emphasizing His permanence and indwelling presence which contrasts with the temporary physical presence of Christ. The message highlights that the world cannot receive the Spirit because it is spiritually blind, whereas believers know Him through His internal dwelling. It further explains that the Spirit provides assurance of salvation and the power for resurrection, while also enabling a deep fellowship with God through loving obedience and submission to His commands. The sermon concludes by challenging believers to examine their daily submission to the Spirit to experience the fullness of this divine abode.

This sermon explores the theological purpose of God's eternal election as presented in Ephesians 1:3-6, arguing that believers were chosen for holiness, adoption, and the praise of God's glory. The message clarifies that salvation is not merely about forgiveness but involves a transformative process where grace produces obedience, countering both legalism and antinomianism. It emphasizes the familial reality of adoption, urging believers to approach God with the confidence of children rather than the fear of outsiders, while grounding their identity in Christ's work rather than fluctuating emotions. The sermon concludes by directing the ultimate end of election toward the worship of God, warning against pride or speculation and encouraging a humble, awe-filled response to the sovereign grace that chose the elect before the foundation of the world.

As we continue to consider Heaven in the future... We ask the question, what exactly will we be like, in Heaven in the future? And the Apostle Paul (the Holy Spirit) answers!

Sermon Notes "Changed by Christ" Acts 22:11-21 I. Chosen by Grace (11-16) II. Called to Witness (17-20) III. Sent Out by Jesus (21)